Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump is ramping up his attacks on House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) as Republicans gather to vote on the next Speaker nominee. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to share a post by conservative activist Laura Loomer exposing Emmer’s alleged disdain for Trump and his ties to a George Soros group. Trump is making it clear that he does not support Emmer’s bid for Speaker and is calling attention to what he sees as Emmer’s true Democrat colors. Kevin McCarthy, the current House Minority Leader, has endorsed Emmer, but Trump is determined to expose him.
Emmer is one of the nine House Republican candidates vying for the Speaker nomination, but his chances may be bolstered by House Democrats potentially sitting out the vote. Some Democrats, including Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), have voiced their willingness to support Emmer if he commits to certain policy positions, such as funding the government at negotiated levels and bringing aid bills for Ukraine and Israel to the floor. Phillips believes that having a Minnesotan serve as Speaker would be beneficial, and he hopes Emmer can work with Democrats to reform the House and make it more effective.
The dysfunction in the House is a national and global security issue.
I would sit-out the Speaker vote if Tom Emmer will fund our government at negotiated levels, bring Ukraine and Israel aid bills to the floor, and commit to rules changes to make Congress work for the people.🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/K4VXJIE7aQ
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) October 24, 2023
As the vote for Speaker approaches, tensions rise within the Republican Party. Trump’s attacks on Emmer add fuel to the fire and highlight the internal divisions between Trump loyalists and more establishment Republicans. Emmer will have to navigate these challenges if he wants to secure the nomination and become the next Speaker of the House.
