Trump to be nominated as next House speaker
Republicans have called for Donald Trump to fill the House Speaker vacancy left after the ousting of Kevin McCarthy.
At least three Republican representatives have said the former president should enter Congress to “make the House great again”, as the GOP squabbles over who should take on the position.
Mr Trump has reportedly been open to approaches from Republican representatives about filling the position on a “short term” basis.
If he took the role, Mr Trump would become third in line to the presidency in the order of succession, after Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
There is no legal requirement for Speakers to be drawn from the House of Representatives, although that has always been the case.
Troy Nehls, a Texas Republican, said on Tuesday night he would file paperwork to nominate Mr Trump, after eight representatives from the GOP voted with the Democrats to remove Mr McCarthy.
It is the first time a sitting Speaker has been removed by a vote in the House, leaving divided Republicans to find a replacement before next Wednesday.
‘Make the House great again’
“This week, when the US House of Representatives reconvenes, my first order of business will be to nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the US House of Representatives,” Mr Nehls said in a statement.
“President Trump, the greatest president of my lifetime, has a proven record of putting America First and will make the House great again.”
His call was backed by Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican hardliner, and Greg Steube, a representative from Florida.
Ms Greene said: “[Mr Trump] has a proven 4 year record as president of the United States of America. He received a record number of Republican votes of any Republican presidential candidate!
“We can make him Speaker and then elect him president!”
On Wednesday night, Sean Hannity, the Fox News commentator, said: “I have been told that Trump might be open to helping the Republican party, at least in the short term, if necessary.”
A spokesman for Mr Trump was contacted for comment.
