Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend a “closed candidate forum” for House Speaker candidates on Tuesday, according to a new Fox News report.
From colleague Brooke Singman. Trump expected to attend GOP mtg on Tuesday for closed candidate forum for House Speaker
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) October 5, 2023
“From colleague Brooke Singman. Trump expected to attend GOP mtg on Tuesday for closed candidate forum for House Speaker,” Chad Pergram noted on X.
Former President Donald Trump disclosed on Wednesday that he has been fielding calls about the possibility of becoming the next speaker of the House of Representatives, but the legal disputes plaguing the Republican Party may keep him on the campaign trail and away from Capitol Hill.
Trump, 77, has already been identified as the preferred speaker candidate by at least two House Republicans. However, a little-known House GOP rule prohibiting those with felony indictments from serving in the role could render him ineligible for the position.
“A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years’ imprisonment may be imposed,” the Republican Conference Rules of the 118th Congress state.
Trump faces a total of 91 charges in four separate criminal cases, and if convicted, he faces up to 712 years and six months in prison.
These provisions could be modified to accommodate Speaker Trump.
Reps. Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise are the leading candidates to replace Kevin McCarthy, who was voted out of his position as speaker of the House on Tuesday in an unprecedented move.
The Republicans intend to conduct a candidate forum for speaker next Tuesday, followed by a possible vote the following day.
For the second time this year, the gavel of House speaker is up for grabs, and for the second time, this contest threatens to divide the Republican caucus along ideological lines.
However, with Trump’s freedom potentially at peril and a rematch with President Biden in the cards, it appears unlikely that the former president will take the gavel at this time.
Of course, anything is possible. And strange days are upon us.
