Whether he steps in as a placeholder speaker or assists House Republicans in picking the replacement for ousted Kevin McCarthy, former President Donald Trump has left no doubt that he will be a major factor in what happens next in the House.
Whether he steps in as a placeholder speaker or assists House Republicans in picking the replacement for ousted Kevin McCarthy, former President Donald Trump has left no doubt that he will be a major factor in what happens next in the House.
Mr. Trump is expected to pay a visit to Capitol Hill next week for the House speaker election.
He said Thursday that if House Republicans are deadlocked, he would be willing to serve as speaker in a temporary capacity.
“I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress,” Mr. Trump told Fox News Digital, reviving an idea that he seemed to reject a day earlier. “If they don’t get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer term because I am running for president.”
Mr. Trump said House Republicans asked him to lead the chamber for a short period. “I’m not doing it because I want to,” Mr. Trump said. “I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision.
