Gaetz Threatens McCarthy’s Speakership

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Facts

• On Tuesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) accused House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) of being “out of compliance with the agreement that allowed” McCarthy to assume the speakership, and threatened to lead a removal of McCarthy from his post.¹
• Gaetz cited a list of promises he said McCarthy hasn’t kept — including not holding votes on term limits for lawmakers and balanced budgets, and not releasing the full security tapes from the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol building.¹
• Gaetz’s statement came the same day McCarthy conceded to pressure from Gaetz and a portion of the House GOP by announcing a formal impeachment probe for Democratic Pres. Joe Biden in several House committees.²
• In January, McCarthy won the speakership on his 15th vote after making several promises to a faction of his party in exchange for their votes.³
• Meanwhile, Congress has until Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown, and McCarthy is being urged by GOP colleagues to avoid making any short-term agreements with Democrats without also obtaining stricter border security provisions as well as other provisions.⁴
• Although it will inevitably be up to the House to vote on whether to impeach Biden, McCarthy announced the inquiry Tuesday by saying there’s evidence Biden, and his son Hunter, are surrounded by a “culture of corruption.”⁵

Sources: ¹USA Today, ²Reuters, ³FOX News, ⁴Al Jazeera and ⁵Verity.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by Red State. By granting the request of much of his caucus to open an impeachment inquiry, Kevin McCarthy is finally allowing House committees to dig deeper into Biden’s alleged crimes and solidify the case against the president. Republicans should rally around this decision and then remain unified for the upcoming budgetary battle. If Republicans stick together, they can accomplish their goals and save the country from the Biden administration.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Daily Caller. McCarthy was voted speaker based on assurances he gave about numerous issues, yet all he’s followed through on is this inquiry. This is just a baby step towards what the House GOP wants to accomplish. It’s time for McCarthy to act or get out of the way.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by The Nation. McCarthy is proving he’s vulnerable in the face of a small faction of his party, and now he’s finding out what happens when you’re indebted to the so-called 'Freedom Caucus' — no amount of meeting their demands will ever be enough. He should know that they can’t oust him because no one else is willing to stand up for the speakership. If he doesn’t toughen up, he might wind up taking down Congress and perhaps the whole government with it.

Predictions