Former President Trump unleashed a barrage of attacks and rebuked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as well as his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, for the “unnecessary turmoil” within the GOP after House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy was unable to win the Speakership. In a statement that included a racist nickname for Chao which she had denounced previously, Trump accused McConnell, Chao and their RINO allies of causing the disarray he saw in the Republican Party.
The drama unfolded during Tuesday’s three consecutive rounds of voting for Speaker where Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat, won each time but neither candidate secured the necessary 218 votes to take the top leadership spot, despite Republicans holding 222 seats post midterms. Out of them, 19 and 20 voted against McCarthy respectively in two and three rounds of voting respectively.
Trump had initially voiced his support for McCarthy’s candidacy but refused to comment on whether he would continue his backing when asked after the failed attempts at winning Speakership. The House is set to reconvene Wednesday morning to try and secure a majority through yet another vote on the same subject.
McCarthy’s inability to secure a majority vote in the House for the job of Speaker is something that is unprecedented. This tells you where the Republican party is at right now. Most of them are either RINOs or not willing to try to get someone else to run the show.
President Trump has been vocal about his displeasure with McConnell since the latter pulled away from him post January 6th Capitol incident. This resentment further solidified when Elaine Chao resigned from her position as Transportation Secretary in light of said attack. Trump’s criticism here is evidence of growing tensions between himself and members of his own party that he feels are not adequately representing him or his vision for America.