The White House is trying to take advantage of the upset GOP.
In a noteworthy development on Friday, the White House addressed the ongoing turmoil within House Republicans regarding the removal of the Speaker, indicating a hands-off approach from the administration while maintaining focus on serving the American populace.
During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s stance of non-interference in the internal dynamics of House leadership. “We’ve consistently maintained our position. We won’t meddle in the affairs of House leadership,” she asserted. “The president’s message has been unequivocal—he remains steadfast in his commitment to prioritize the needs of the American people.”
Jean-Pierre refrained from delving into specifics regarding the leadership dispute, offering a light-hearted remark: “I suppose, in this scenario, it’s best to grab your popcorn, sit back, and observe the unfolding events.”
The catalyst for this statement was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) motion to unseat Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), a response to his backing of a bipartisan spending agreement advancing through Congress. Greene utilized the same procedural maneuver that previously led to the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). This move coincided with the House’s passage of an extensive spending bill aimed at averting a partial government shutdown by the impending midnight deadline.
Although the spending package ultimately secured bipartisan approval, it garnered more support from Democrats than Republicans, eliciting discontent among conservative factions. Greene, a vocal supporter of former President Trump, clarified that while she didn’t immediately push for a vote to oust the Speaker, her motion served as a warning to Johnson.
Johnson ascended to the speakership in October following McCarthy’s removal and subsequent rounds of voting by House Republicans, culminating in the selection of the Louisiana Republican as their leader.