Mutiny threat sparks House GOP infighting ahead of Trump visit: ‘Just more stupid’
Tensions were running high among House Republicans on Tuesday as a group of GOP hardliners threatened to protest Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership during the upcoming House GOP Conference leadership elections. Sources revealed that members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus were exploring ways to express their discontent with House GOP leaders during the closed-door races to determine who will likely lead the majority in the following year.
The primary source of the discord stemmed from proposed rule changes that the House GOP Conference would be voting on, including a measure aimed at punishing colleagues who intentionally sabotage their own party’s legislation on the House floor by stripping their committee assignments. While Speaker Johnson stated that he would not support punitive measures against those who blockade the House floor, some members indicated that this was not sufficient.
Reports surfaced that Freedom Caucus members were considering fielding a candidate to challenge Johnson, a move that the caucus chairman did not rule out. Chairman Andy Harris mentioned that having two candidates in a race was typical, indicating that his group was exploring all options. However, as of Tuesday night, no specific candidate had emerged, although conservatives were still potentially looking to rally around someone.
In response to Johnson’s GOP critics, they could opt for a recorded vote where they could either vote against his candidacy for speaker or write in another name via secret ballot. The potential for public discord within the party was a cause for concern among several GOP lawmakers, especially as President-elect Donald Trump was scheduled to address House Republicans the following morning.
Some lawmakers expressed frustration with the possibility of renewed chaos within the party, particularly after the challenges faced during the 118th Congress. Rep. Greg Murphy emphasized the need for consequences for Republicans who instigate conflict within the party, stating that such behavior should not be tolerated.
Concerns were also raised about the potential for another messy House floor fight over the speakership, similar to the challenges faced by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy nearly two years ago. The prospect of such internal strife was viewed as counterproductive by some lawmakers, who emphasized the need for unity and focus on the party’s agenda.
Rep. Ashley Hinson echoed these sentiments, urging an end to “unserious political games” and emphasizing the importance of focusing on the work at hand. While some members criticized Johnson in the past, there was little appetite for supporting a challenger against him, particularly if Trump endorsed the speaker during his address to House Republicans.
As tensions continued to simmer within the House GOP, the upcoming leadership elections promised to be a pivotal moment for the party. The outcome of these races would not only determine the future leadership of the majority but also set the tone for the party’s direction in the coming year. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is leading coverage of the House of Representatives and will continue to provide updates on this developing story. Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind for the latest updates and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
