House Republicans have selected Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) as their nominee for House speaker, but it appears he does not have the votes to be elected to the position on the House floor.
Emmer emerged as the top candidate in a crowded field of seven lawmakers–Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) withdrew from the race Tuesday morning– as Republicans try to elect a speaker three weeks after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from the role.
Emmer reportedly asked for a roll call vote after he won the nomination and about 20 Republicans opposed his candidacy, way more than he can afford to lose on the House floor.
To further complicate matters, Donald Trump came out against Emmer in a post on his Truth Social app, calling him “out of touch with Republican voters” and saying he would be a “tragic mistake.”
“I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors. RINO Tom Emmer, who I do not know well, is not one of them,” Trump wrote.
“I believe he has now learned his lesson, because he is saying that he is Pro-Trump all the way, but who can ever be sure?” Trump added. “Has he only changed because that’s what it takes to win? The Republican Party cannot take that chance, because that’s not where the America First Voters are. Voting for a Globalist RINO like Tom Emmer would be a tragic mistake!”
