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Republican Civil War Over McCarthy May Cost Them in 2024

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Republican's Civil War Over Kevin McCarthy May Cost Them in 2024

Republican Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was derailed in a series of votes on Tuesday, as hardline conservatives rebelled against him, throwing the new Republican majority into disarray.

McCarthy twice fell short of the 218-vote majority required to succeed Democrat Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker in what could be a brutal showdown between hardliners and the overwhelming majority of House Republicans. The House failed to elect a speaker on the first ballot for the first time in a century.

McCarthy also appeared to be lacking in support as the vote entered a third round on Tuesday afternoon, with at least 20 Republicans voting for popular conservative Representative Jim Jordan to try to block McCarthy, despite the fact that Jordan did not run.

McCarthy gave no indication that he would drop out of the race after the second ballot, telling reporters, “We stay in it ’til we win… it will eventually change.”

A protracted speaker election could jeopardize House Republicans’ ability to move quickly on priorities such as investigations into President Joe Biden’s administration and family, as well as legislative priorities involving the economy, U.S. energy independence, and border security.

A standoff would effectively paralyze the House and force lawmakers to consider another candidate. Along with Jordan, incoming Majority Leader Steve Scalise was considered a possible candidate.

Republican McCarthy Stumped by Biggs and Gaetz

McCarthy had served as House minority leader and sought to become speaker, the second in line of succession to the presidency of the United States, only to face stiff opposition from his party’s right flank.

In Tuesday’s vote, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries defeated McCarthy by 212 to 203 votes. Representative Andy Biggs, a hardline conservative, ran against McCarthy on the first ballot and received 10 votes.

A majority of those voting, rather than a plurality, is required to select a speaker.

In the second vote, popular conservative Jordan attempted to rally support for California Republican McCarthy, only to be defeated by McCarthy opponent Matt Gaetz of Florida.

“We need to rally around him,” Jordan said passionately on the House floor. “I believe Kevin McCarthy is the right person to lead us.”

Jordan, 58, is a close friend of former President Donald Trump and a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus.

Challenges Republicans face

Jordan, a former college wrestler who represents an Ohio congressional district, was nominated as McCarthy’s opponent on Tuesday but voted for him three times. Jordan is preparing to lead the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into the Justice Department and FBI.

It was an unsettling start to McCarthy’s new majority, and it highlights the challenges Republicans may face over the next two years as they prepare for the 2024 presidential election. Their slim majority gives a small group of hardliners more clout, allowing them to focus on defeating Democrats and pushing various investigations.

Republicans won a narrow 222-212 majority in the midterm elections in November, which means McCarthy – or any candidate for speaker – will need to unite a fractious caucus in order to take the gavel. Democrats have a slim Senate majority.

McCarthy’s opponents are concerned that he is less deeply invested in the House’s culture wars and partisan rivalries, which have dominated since Trump’s presidency.

McCarthy tried to persuade the holdouts during a closed-door party meeting before the vote, vowing to stay in the race until he received the necessary votes, but many attendees emerged unscathed.

It was unclear whether McCarthy, who has a large majority of his caucus’ support, would be able to overcome the hard-line opposition and win the speakership. He ran for speaker once before, in 2015, but was defeated by conservative opposition.

McCarthy has worked in politics his entire adult life, first as a congressional staffer, then as a state legislator before being elected to the House in 2006. McCarthy, as speaker, would be well placed to thwart Biden’s legislative ambitions.

Any Republican speaker, however, will face the difficult task of managing a House Republican caucus that is moving ever further to the right, with uncompromising tendencies and – at least among some lawmakers – close allegiances to Trump.

Over a two-month period in the 1850s, the record number of voting rounds to elect a House speaker was 133.

After Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker, announced her intention to step down, the Democrats chose Jeffries to serve as minority leader. Pelosi will continue to serve as a representative.

Republican civil war could cost them in 2024

The growing enmity between pro-Trump and anti-Trump forces raises the prospect of something no Republican wants: a GOP civil war that could split the party in two, paving the way for Democrats to win big in 2024.

The fear is that two years of infighting will jeopardize the White House. Republicans are concerned that it will give Democrats control of the House and Senate for at least two more years.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) raised the possibility last week, saying his “greatest fear” is a repeat of the 1964 party split between Barry Goldwater and Nelson Rockefeller.

“I can see a Trump-anti-Trump war over the next two years that guarantees Biden’s re-election in a landslide and guarantees Democrats control everything,” Gingrich told The Hill.

Top Republicans are not yet ready to panic and declare that a repeat of 1964 is unlikely, as former President Trump and other potential candidates stake their claims.

“There are divisions in the Democratic Party. “You have tensions here, but no,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). “It is the norm for political parties to be dysfunctional. It is not an exception on either side.”

Several candidates pushed across the primary finish line by the former president failed to win key Senate races, including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Nevada. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) of Georgia defeated Trump-backed Republican candidate Herschel Walker.

Republicans are still picking up the pieces from the disastrous 2022 midterm elections, in which the party expected to retake the Senate after a two-year hiatus. Neither of these things occurred, leaving the GOP to plan for the future while determining how much influence Trump will have.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

Politics

President-Elect Trump Picks Matt Gaetz to Be Attorney General

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Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz's experience as a lawyer and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

President-elect Donald Trump has named Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, 42, his attorney general. This position doubles as the country’s top prosecutor and the director of the Department of Justice.

Trump announced the nominee in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, noting Matt Gaetz’s experience as a lawyer and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

He also stated that Gaetz’s nomination would be part of his strategy to rid the government of perceived opponents. Trump has frequently accused Democrats of “weaponizing” the Justice Department against him, a charge he reiterated in Wednesday’s statement.

Matt will halt weaponized government, secure our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore Americans’ severely eroded faith and confidence in the Justice Department, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Donald Trump has sent shockwaves across Washington by appointing former Democratic congressman Tulsi Gabbard as the new director of national intelligence.

The moves sparked quick criticism that the president-elect ignores qualifications to put his most fervent followers in charge of the country’s most important government agencies.

Even before Gaetz and Gabbard were named, Trump aroused eyebrows by naming Pete Hegseth, an army veteran and Fox News commentator, as his contender for defense secretary.

Trump has also made more conventional picks for prominent jobs, such as choosing Florida Senator Marco Rubio to be Secretary of State.

Gaetz’s planned appointment as attorney general comes as President Trump threatens to restructure the US Department of Justice in retaliation for criminal investigations and indictments initiated against him by federal prosecutors in recent years.

Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz

Tulsi Gabbard at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida.


Tulsi Gabbard was the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) Vice-Chair from 2013 to 2016 when she resigned to support Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential candidacy.

Tulsi is an Iraq War veteran and Army reservist. Three years ago, she received the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” According to Trump’s remarks.

“I am confident that Tulsi will bring the courageous attitude that has distinguished her remarkable career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength. “Tulsi will make us all proud!”

Once confirmed, Tulsi Gabbard will advise Trump, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on national security issues.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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Trump Shakes Up Pentagon Names Pete Hegseth Defence Secretary

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U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. David Walsh and Pete Hegseth - U.S. Marine Corps image

US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Pete Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran and Fox News broadcaster, as his defense secretary. The announcement sent shockwaves across the Pentagon and defense industry.

Many in Washington expected the nominee to be a seasoned legislator or someone with defense policy experience. Trump’s choice of Hegseth caught them completely off guard.

In his first political post, 44-year-old Pete Hegseth will be in charge of the world’s most powerful military. He previously served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

When he announced his decision on Tuesday, Trump praised it as “tough, smart, and a true believer in America First.” He also emphasized the former soldier’s schooling at Princeton and Harvard institutions and his combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – our military will be great again, and America will never back down,” the president wrote on Facebook.

The president-elect also highlighted Hegseth’s work as a published novelist. He stated that The War on Warrior “reveals the leftwing betrayal of our warriors and how we must return our military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence.”

Hegseth was a major in the Minnesota National Guard who worked as a prison guard in the Guantánamo Bay detention camp and Iraq and Afghanistan and has been an outspoken critic of what he calls “woke” policies inside the US military and its leadership.

“The dumbest phrase on planet earth in the military is our diversity is our strength,” Hegseth stated on a webcast last month.

One of his responsibilities as defense secretary could be to carry out Trump’s campaign vows to remove US generals accused of supporting progressive agendas within the military.

Trump stated that entrepreneur Elon Musk, another political novice, would help the administration decrease costs.

Trump’s government is taking shape following his victory in last week’s presidential election. Hegseth was part of a flurry of security appointments, including Trump’s selection of John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency.

If confirmed by the US Senate, Hegseth will arrive at the Pentagon with decisions to make on topics such as military aid to Israel during its fight in Gaza and backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion.

Trump wants the United States to distance itself from foreign conflicts in general. During the election campaign, he criticized the Biden administration’s spending to aid Ukraine.

Also on Tuesday, Trump stated that he wanted South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to play a key role as homeland security secretary. Trump appointed another military veteran, Michael Waltz, as national security advisor, which means he will counsel the president on international dangers.

According to sources at the BBC’s US partner CBS News, Senator Marco Rubio, who shares Waltz’s strong views on China, is anticipated to be Trump’s future secretary of state. However, the selection has not yet been verified.

Republicans have regained control of the Senate and the upper chamber of Congress and are closing in on a majority in the House and the lower chamber as vote counting continues.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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Trudeau Insists Trump Isn’t a Threat Despite His Past Rhetoric

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Trudeau Insists Trump Isn't a Threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed optimism Tuesday about working with Trump.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed optimism Tuesday about working with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, ramping up his rhetoric again by saying Canada has dealt with his trade threats before and can do so again.

Trudeau tried to play down possible retaliations by Trump over his past rhetoric, saying Trump’s trade threats are mostly aimed at China, and Canada has previously demonstrated a willingness to align with the United States against the Chinese if required.

Trudeau said that a concerted approach to Chinese trade and actions to address the country’s oppressive trade practices could help Canada win Trump’s favor.

For years, Trump has accused China of purposely weakening its currency and flooding the world with cheap items manufactured by low-wage workers, replacing American-made products and forcing jobs away.

The Trump administration is concerned about international pressures, particularly China’s overcapacity and unfair trade tactics. Canada is already aligned with the United States, and we can accomplish great things together,” Trudeau stated.

Trudeau’s allusion

Canada and the United States collaborated as “friends and partners” during Trump’s first term, “and we’re going to do that again,” Trudeau stated.

Trudeau’s allusion to being “aligned” with the Americans refers to Canada’s decision in August to join the US in imposing punishing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to preserve the country’s young EV industry.

As of October 1, Canada imposed a 100% surtax on Chinese-made EVs, doubling the cost of those imported vehicles and making them significantly less appealing to Canadian buyers.

According to a readout of Trudeau’s first contact with Trump since the election, the two discussed “addressing unfair trading practices in the global economy. While Canada and the United States agree on EVs, there may be difficulty with Mexico, the third member in the continental free trade agreement.

Trump has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on Mexico, with up to 200 percent levies on vehicles imported from the nation, to make it less appealing for automakers to build operations there.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in automotive manufacturing in Mexico; most of that product is bound for the United States. Chinese EV manufacturer BYD has been seeking areas for a Mexican facility that may supply the US market.

“All I’m doing is saying… I’ll put a number where they can’t sell one car,” Trump said of Mexico in October about promised tariffs.

“I don’t want them hurting our car companies.”

Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trade Agreement

He has also threatened Mexico with high tariffs if it does not do more to stem the flow of migrants entering the United States. Kelly Craft, Trump’s former ambassador to Canada, has claimed the president-elect is also concerned about transshipments.

That is the practice of countries such as China shipping goods to Mexico so that they may be sold tariff-free in Canada and the United States under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Trade Agreement, which Trump renegotiated during his administration.

“There are manufacturers producing products for the U.S. and Canada in Mexico, and he wants to reduce that, he wants us to have indigenous manufacturing capability,” Craft said of Trump in an interview with Radio-Canada before last week’s presidential election.

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed similar concerns Tuesday, suggesting that Canada and the United States should negotiate a future free trade agreement alone and exclude Mexico.

“Since signing on to the new NAFTA, Mexico has allowed itself to become a backdoor for Chinese cars, auto parts and other products into Canadian and American markets,” Ford told reporters.

“If Mexico won’t fight transshipment by, at the very least, matching Canadian and American tariffs on Chinese imports, they shouldn’t have a seat at the table or enjoy access to the largest economy in the world.”

Regarding Trump’s pledge to impose a minimum 10% tariff on all imports — a policy that could be applied to Canada — Trudeau said Tuesday that he is working to persuade the incoming president that the approach would be terrible for businesses and the workers they employ on both sides of the border.

During Trump’s first term, Canada was subjected to tariffs on steel and aluminum from the United States, which was an economically destructive policy. Canada replied with dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs, forcing the United States to back down.

Trudeau stated that if necessary, Canada may undertake this strategy again.

“We responded to tariffs he brought in with a demonstration that the interdependence of our economies means there are great jobs on both sides of the border that rely on the smooth flow of goods,” he told reporters. “That’s going to continue to be the case.”

However, trade experts believe that even the possibility of tariffs might be detrimental to Canada since it may cause corporations to reconsider investing here.

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author avatar
Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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