Matt Gaetz Vows To Resign If Democrats Help GOP Elect Moderate Republican House Speaker

Last Updated on January 6, 2023

Matt Gaetz promised he will resign from Congress if Democrats and Republicans work together to elect a moderate Republican to be speaker of the House.

Rep. Gaetz (R-FL) joined Laura Ingraham on Fox News to reaffirm his never-McCarthy viewpoints. Gaetz is one of 21 McCarthy defectors, leaving the California rep. 16 votes short of achieving a majority and being elected Speaker.

Laura Ingraham asked Rep. Gaetz if he would be okay with a deal between Democrats and Republicans to elect a Speaker. “Are you going to be OK, congressman – would you be OK if there’s a deal struck with moderate Democrats that give Democrats co-control of the committees? You’re fine with that?”

“Absolutely not. That will not happen,” Gaetz responded, before explaining how he believes that scenario will not play out.

“There’s two potential scenarios here. I’m on the floor. These 212 Democrats are going to vote for Hakeem Jeffries every single time. He’s a historic candidate. They’re not going to cleave off. If Democrats join up to elect a moderate Republican, I will resign,” Gaetz explained.

Rep. Gaetz broke headlines when he nominated former President Donald Trump for Speaker. The Florida rep. has been a boisterous leader amongst McCarthy dissenters.

During his Fox News appearance, Gaetz doubled down on his anti-McCarthy talking points. Rep. Gaetz suggested there is no scenario he will vote in support of McCarthy, telling Laura Ingraham he is “the masthead of the lobby core and I resent the extent to which Kevin McCarthy utilizes the lobbyists and the special interests to be able to dictate how political decisions are made, how policy decisions are made, and how leadership decisions are made.”

After fourteen years of political service, Gaetz suggested McCarthy is too beholden to lobbyists and special interests groups.

Watch the interview between Ingraham and Gaetz below:

Stay tuned to National File for any updates.

RELATED: Trump Spokeswoman Retweets Video Of Gaetz Nominating Trump For Speaker

READ MORE: McCarthy Threatened to Remove Detractors from Committees as Speaker Bid Stalls, Gaetz Says