Gaetz says Democrats will have ‘opportunity’ to take action against McCarthy as feud amps up

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz amped up criticisms against U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., amidst ongoing spending negotiations.

Tuesday evening, Gaetz further hinted he will file a motion to vacate the speakership, which would require a simple majority of the chamber to oust McCarthy.

“This House has been poorly led,” the Florida Republican said. “My Democratic colleagues will have an opportunity to do something about that too, and we will see if they bail out our failed Speaker.” 

X direct messages were surfaced from some right-leaning social media accounts like Juanita Broaddrick and Citizen Free Press touting an “advocacy campaign” that is “against Gaetz and government shut down.”

“Our movement is not for sale. Our country is not for sale. My fellow representatives, don’t you see how pitiful it is that Kevin is literally trying to purchase negative posts about me to create false sentiment?” Gaetz responded. “We deserve better.”

Ongoing spending battles include opposition from Republicans like Gaetz and fellow Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna over voting for a “continuing resolution,” which would keep spending at previous levels and not defund embattled government programs.

“This Continuing Resolution to fund Ukraine and Jack Smith’s election interference is a betrayal of Republicans. We must do better,” Gaetz recently said.

“Don’t listen to the propaganda media machine that will kick on this week. They don’t want what us best for the little guy. They want to feed the machine,” Luna previously said.

Gaetz earlier this month floated a motion to vacate the chair and told one of his Democratic colleagues, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, to “bookmark” calling Gaetz’s bluff.

“If I make a motion to remove Kevin, how may democrat votes can I count on. Asking for a friend….” Gaetz said.

McCarthy became speaker earlier this year off the heels of a narrow Republican U.S. House of Representatives victory in the 2022 election.

The speaker’s race was embattled and contested, with McCarthy taking days to prevail in his bid. Gaetz was one GOP member who lead the opposition.