Conservative firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy clashed on X following the former’s effort to remove the latter from the speakership.
“Bring it on,” McCarthy wrote immediately following Gaetz introducing a motion to vacate against him Monday evening, a move Gaetz had been threatening in recent days amid clashes between different wings of the Republican Party over a potential government shutdown.
Gaetz simply responded, “Just did.”
MATT GAETZ INTRODUCES MOTION TO VACATE AGAINST HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY
Fox News Digital has reached out to the offices of Gaetz and McCarthy for comment.
Gaetz’s move will force the House to take a vote on whether to keep McCarthy as speaker within two legislative days.
There are a number of members undecided on how they would vote on such a measure, but it’s likely McCarthy will need at least some Democrat votes to keep his job. Democrats could be in a position to try and extract concessions from McCarthy for their votes.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images | Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., told Fox News following Gaetz’s move that he believes a motion to vacate at this time is “a bad idea.” Additionally, Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., told Fox he was undecided.