Share
News

GOP House 'Rule 26' Could Bar Trump from Becoming Speaker of the House

Share

Even if former President Donald Trump wants to give up crisscrossing the country as he campaigns for the White House to spend his days in Washington as speaker of the House, a House rule might get in the way.

The fall of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy this week has given birth to a number of scenarios to replace him, one of which involves Trump taking over the post.

Republican Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas said Tuesday he would be nominating the former president for the role.

The speaker does not need to be a member of the House, something noted in January when Republicans were trying to find their way to electing a speaker, which set the stage for McCarthy’s brief tenure.

However, lurking in the rules of the House is something that could prevent Trump from being speaker, according to The Hill.

When Republicans took power, they approved a set of rules for the operations of the House. One of these is Rule 26, titled “Temporary Step Aside of a Member of Leadership who is Indicted.”

“A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed,” the rule said.

“If a member of the Republican Elected Leadership is indicted, the Republican Conference shall meet and elect a Member to temporarily serve in that position,” the rule said, noting that if acquitted or convicted of something less than a felony, the member could be eligible to resume his or her leadership position.

Trump has been indicted on 91 felony charges in four separate cases. Two of them are federal, one is in New York and one is in Georgia.

The Hill said there is no prohibition against changing that rule, but it would be unlikely.

Trump has offered contradictory signals about the speakership.

Related:
Congressman Reveals Iranian 'Mothership' Intruding on US, Says Trump Is in Danger

“No, I think that it’s not something I wanted. A lot of people bring it up. It’s brought up all the time,” he said in a March 2022 interview.

“No, it’s not something I want to do,” the former president said. “I want to look at what’s happening, and then we’re going to be doing something else. No, it’s not something I would be interested in.”

In a post Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, however, Trump seemed to indicate he might serve as a stopgap speaker.

Should the Republicans amend the rules?

“I am running for President, have a 62 Point lead over Republicans, and am up on Crooked Joe Biden, despite the Democrat Party’s massive Law-fare, Weaponization, and Election Interference efforts, by 4 to 11 Points, but will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made – A Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced President, ME, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he said.

The former president also shared an image of himself holding the speaker’s gavel.

On Wednesday, Trump refused to rule out anything, according to NBC News.

“A lot of people have been calling me about speaker,” he said outside a New York City courtroom on the third day of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million civil fraud trial against him.

“All I can say is we will do whatever is best for the country and other Republican Party and people,” he said.


A Note from Our Founder:

 

Every morning, we at The Western Journal wake up and pursue our mission of giving you the important information you need about what’s happening in America.

We can’t do that without your help.

 

America has been on the receiving end of false narratives. The purpose of these false narratives is to make you feel powerless. The Western Journal empowers you by breaking these false narratives.

But I wouldn’t be honest with you today if I didn’t let you know that the future of The Western Journal is in jeopardy without your help.

 

Silicon Valley and the Big Tech tyrants have done everything they can to put The Western Journal out of business. Our faithful donors and subscribers have kept us going.

If you’ve never chosen to donate, let me be honest: We need your help today.

Please don’t wait one minute. Donate right now – our situation in America is dire. Our country hangs by a thread, and The Western Journal stands for truth in this difficult time.

 

Please stand with us by donating today.
Floyd G. Brown
Founder of The Western Journal

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , , , ,
Share
Jack Davis is a freelance writer who joined The Western Journal in July 2015 and chronicled the campaign that saw President Donald Trump elected. Since then, he has written extensively for The Western Journal on the Trump administration as well as foreign policy and military issues.
Jack Davis is a freelance writer who joined The Western Journal in July 2015 and chronicled the campaign that saw President Donald Trump elected. Since then, he has written extensively for The Western Journal on the Trump administration as well as foreign policy and military issues.
Jack can be reached at jackwritings1@gmail.com.
Location
New York City
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Foreign Policy, Military & Defense Issues




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation