Trump World Warns Against Pushing Steve Scalise For House Speaker

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) is coming under fire over reports that he is quietly being prepped to make a run for House Speaker as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) looks to wrap up the remaining support that he needs to get the position next month.
 

McCarthy is widely viewed as the Republican choice best able to bring together his party’s various factions. A consensus builder is critical given that the GOP eked out a slim 222-213 majority in last month’s midterm elections.

Politico reported last week that a small group of lawmakers approached Scalise and told him to “just be ready” in case McCarthy did not win over the five Republicans still holding out on backing his bid for House Speaker. The Republicans who have come out publicly against McCarthy include Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ).

Republicans in top inner circles have warned against efforts trying to boost Scalise for the position. A former Trump White House aide involved in immigration negotiations on Capitol Hill warned that Scalise is not solid on immigration, which comes as the southern border has been in a state of crisis the entire time that President Joe Biden has been in the White House.