House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) finds himself in a challenging position due to his recent actions and decisions. Initially, he appeased the shut-it-down MAGA caucus, which brought the government to the brink of a shutdown, showcasing their control. However, McCarthy then reversed course and relied on Democratic votes to keep the government functioning, ultimately demonstrating that only Democrats can effectively govern. To make matters worse, McCarthy’s actions gave Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), a known MAGA extremist, an opportunity to file a motion to remove McCarthy from his position as speaker.
According to The Washington Post, Gaetz accused McCarthy of lying during the negotiations over government funding and during the lengthy speakership fight that occurred earlier this year. Gaetz’s allegations may hold some credibility, as McCarthy has made numerous concessions to the far-right members of his caucus, potentially contradicting his promises to them.
Meanwhile, those in favor of McCarthy are contemplating the possibility of expelling Gaetz based on an ongoing ethics investigation. Removing the gadfly extremist from the House could create a rare bipartisan moment, as both Democrats and Republicans would likely welcome his departure.
Before making any decisions regarding the speakership fight, Democrats should be aware of three realities of MAGA politics. Firstly, Gaetz still has 48 hours to reconsider his motion, especially given the initial negative response he received. Secondly, ousting McCarthy does not guarantee the existence of a replacement who can gain the majority support of Republicans or the entire House. Thirdly, the more leeway granted to MAGA Republicans, the stronger the argument becomes for removing Republicans from the majority in 2024.
Given these circumstances, Democrats have several choices if Gaetz proceeds with his motion to remove McCarthy. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) suggested that Democrats should not interfere in Republicans’ internal struggles, as it is the majority party’s responsibility to organize itself. Democrats could choose to vote present or not show up at all, forcing McCarthy to secure the support of at least a majority of Republicans. Regardless of whether McCarthy or a replacement remains in power, motions to remove, debates, and paralysis are likely to persist. However, it will be solely Republicans’ responsibility for these ongoing challenges.
Alternatively, Democrats could participate in the process and vote for McCarthy to ensure that he is not replaced by someone worse. However, this approach would be futile as McCarthy would become even weaker, having relied on Democratic support. Additionally, any promises extracted from him, such as no shutdowns or an end to impeachment efforts, would hold no weight, as McCarthy has previously reneged on commitments to both the White House and his fellow Republicans.
Some speculate that a third option could involve self-proclaimed moderate Republicans joining forces with Democrats to elect a compromise candidate, potentially Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), in a unity governance arrangement. This bipartisan group could work together to establish rules for the remainder of the Congress, including the avoidance of shutdowns, the requirement of minority-party support for subpoenas, the continuation of funding for Ukraine, and the elimination of impeachment distractions. However, it is unlikely that such a scenario would unfold, as Republicans engaging in this maneuver would face backlash and challenges within their own party. Democrats, on the other hand, have little to gain by demonstrating the existence of moderate Republicans. Furthermore, given the persistent agitation from MAGA Republicans, there is a risk that the House could descend into chaos even with such a unity arrangement.
Ultimately, the advice from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) seems appropriate. Democrats should refrain from rushing to assist McCarthy, whom Pelosi believes to be untrustworthy according to multiple anonymous Democrats cited by Politico. Democrats should allow Republicans to handle their own internal drama. After all, it’s not the Democrats’ circus to manage.
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