Successors Emerge for US House Speaker Vacancy... Trump Candidacy Speculated

House faces growing chaos over first-ever impeachment crisis
Conservative candidate expected... key question is whether they clear the voting threshold
Voices within Republican Party say "Impeachment resolution must be withdrawn"

An unprecedented situation unfolded with the removal of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, triggering a fierce competition within the Republican Party to fill the vacancy. Former President Donald Trump, who has been preparing to run in next year's presidential election, was considered a possible candidate for Speaker, but he dismissed the idea, stating he would focus solely on his White House bid, bringing the matter to a close for now.

To be elected Speaker, a candidate must receive a majority of votes from all members of the House, but it is widely believed that no candidate is likely to surpass this threshold easily. As a result, the turmoil in the House caused by this removal is expected to continue for some time.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

"More Conservative than McCarthy" Jordan, Scalise Declare Candidacy

On the 4th (local time), according to The Washington Post (WP) and others, Republican Jim Jordan (Ohio, 59), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Steve Scalise, Republican House Majority Leader (Louisiana, 57), officially declared their candidacies for Speaker of the House.

In a letter to fellow lawmakers posted on X (formerly Twitter), Chairman Jordan mentioned U.S. security, border strengthening, and government spending control, stating, "It is time for the Republican Party to unite to keep our promises to the American people." Majority Leader Scalise wrote in a letter to colleagues, "We need to move together in the same direction to put America back on the right track."

The media evaluates that these two are currently the most likely candidates among several being discussed for the Speaker position. Both are considered more conservative than former Speaker McCarthy.

Republican Jim Jordan, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee (Ohio)
Photo by AFP News Agency

Chairman Jordan is a founding member of the hardline group 'Freedom Caucus' that led the recent rebellion and enjoys strong support from the Republican hardliners. Earlier this year, during the Speaker election, he received backing from hardliners opposing former Speaker McCarthy. Notably, Matt Gaetz (Florida), a Republican hardliner who spearheaded McCarthy's ousting, referred to Jordan as his "mentor" and supports him.

Some express concerns that Jordan's hardline image might raise doubts among moderate Republicans about his suitability for Speaker. Seemingly aware of this, Jordan told reporters, "I believe we are a conservative center-right party," portraying himself as someone who can help unite these factions.

Having entered the House in 2006 and becoming Judiciary Committee chairman in January, he is known for his pro-Trump stance. He was one of eight House members who served on Trump's defense team during the former president's first Senate impeachment trial. Recently, he has focused on investigating allegations involving President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden and is also conducting a House-level impeachment inquiry into President Biden, formalized by former Speaker McCarthy.

Opposing him, Majority Leader Scalise is the second-ranking Republican in the House after former Speaker McCarthy. Entering Congress in 2008, he has long been considered a top candidate for Speaker within the party. Politically, he is regarded as more conservative than McCarthy.

Steve Scalise, Republican House Majority Leader (Louisiana)
[Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]

However, Scalise has health concerns, having survived a shooting attack at a baseball practice in 2017 and recently being diagnosed with blood cancer.

He has also faced criticism for playing little role in McCarthy's ousting. The Freedom Caucus, a hardline group, labels Scalise as part of the "establishment," which may hinder his ability to gain their support, according to WP.

Other potential candidates mentioned by U.S. media include Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip (Minnesota), and Kevin Hern (Oklahoma), chairman of the conservative 'Republican Study Committee.'

Calls for Trump to Run for Speaker... Trump Says "Focusing on White House Bid"

Within the Republican Party on the same day, there were calls for former President Trump to run for Speaker himself. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia) wrote on her X account, "The only candidate I support for Speaker is Trump," adding, "We can make him Speaker and elect him president."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Trump told reporters that day, "Many people have asked me about that, but the Republican Party has great people who can do a good job as Speaker," emphasizing that he would focus solely on his presidential campaign. He thus brought the matter to a close personally.

Media interpretations suggest that Trump's decision takes into account Republican Party rules. Although there is no legal barrier to a former or current president who has been criminally charged serving as Speaker, Bloomberg News reported that party rules prohibit individuals charged with serious crimes punishable by more than two years in prison from holding key positions.

Within the party, voices opposing the movement to nominate Trump as Speaker also emerged. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told CNBC, "Do you really want a criminal convicted to be president of the United States?" and questioned, "Are there people joking about making him Speaker?"

'Majority Vote' in House Not Easy... "Reform of Removal Resolution Needed"

The election for Speaker of the U.S. House is scheduled for the 11th. On the 10th, the Republican Party is expected to listen to candidates' policy speeches and finalize the nominee. The Speaker is elected by a majority vote of all House members, and generally, the majority party produces the Speaker.

However, it is currently anticipated that electing a Speaker immediately will be difficult. The seat difference between Republicans (221) and Democrats (212) is narrow, and about 20 hardliners within the Republican Party could disrupt the election again, as they did earlier this year when McCarthy was elected. In January, McCarthy was elected Speaker after 15 rounds of voting, during which he had to make several concessions to the hardliners, including lowering the threshold for filing a removal resolution.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In this context, there are calls within the Republican Party to change the removal resolution system, which has caused great turmoil in the House.

Representative Kelly Armstrong (Republican, North Dakota) told WP, "The atmosphere is not good," and expressed doubt that any candidate could secure 217 votes in the election. He questioned whether there is any guarantee that the removal of the Speaker, which has already happened, will not happen again regardless of who takes the position.

Representative Carlos Gimenez (Republican, Florida) said, "No one will support a candidate for Speaker until there is a promise to reform the removal resolution."

As chaos continues in the House, Republican senators have expressed concern. They criticized the removal resolution filing condition (one House member) demanded and accepted by hardliners when McCarthy was elected in January, calling it "an example of how much power was given to a tiny minority." Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Whoever the next Speaker is, I hope the removal resolution is abolished," adding, "It makes it impossible for the Speaker to do their job."

Meanwhile, President Biden commented on the removal of former Speaker McCarthy, emphasizing, "Above all, we need to change the toxic atmosphere in Washington (Congress)," and stressed that the federal government has much work to do. He added, "Although there are deep differences in views, we must stop seeing each other as enemies and start talking."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.