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The article is now updated with the statement from Troy Nehls. We await confirmation from Trump.

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I don't think Jordan is well liked among his GOP peers. I think that there is now a much larger group of "conservatives" who are not totally in with the MAGA crowd. Rep Lawler, from New York, has been making the TV rounds attacking Gaetz ("charlatan, must be expelled from

Congress, not a serious politician etc"). I have however noticed that the blame game from the GOP is to claim the Dems did it. I can only imagine what is being discussed among the members of the GOP caucus. They are totally out of control. And their inaptitude is exposed to what I believe a point of no return. It will be up to the Dems to show statemanship.

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I agree that many MAGA lawmakers are most likely disgusted with Trump but it’s behind the scenes. Their public facing persona will stay lock/step with what they are *expected* to do as republicans- because of fear (family, getting primaried, threats, blackmail, the Kremlin, etc.). Unfortunately I think you might be giving them too much credit to actually do the right thing for once- I, for one, don’t think they will do anything differently than stay the course- even if it’s the MAGA course they are so sick of.

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Yeah, I get it. Sad we are surrounded by individuals who have lost their moral compass.

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Seth is there any updates on Trump and the speakership? I’m seeing pundits say “phew that’s good that the GOP have moved on from Trump,” but have they- for sure?

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Oct 6, 2023·edited Oct 6, 2023Author

Frankly even if he confirms it, a Jordan speakership *is* a Trump speakership. Jordan could never become speaker otherwise—he ran before and got only a handful of votes. I have expanded the Update atop the article to address confusion on this; *if* this gambit results in a Jordan speakership, it is effectively Donald Trump running the House (in a way that was *not* the case even under McCarthy).

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founding

Catching up on news & this is terrifying, (just as thinking of TFG himself being Speaker of the House). smh **curses**

Oops, this was at noon today...update since then, Seth?

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Honestly, I’m not sure my mental health will survive this. The fact that we’re even talking about this being a possibility makes me ill.

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I’m right there with you. I’m pretty close to googling “DIY lobotomy.”

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Oct 6, 2023·edited Oct 6, 2023

Me too. It is sickening to watch how much our country has deteriorated since Trump became President. I thank G-d every day for Biden and Harris. I am getting double sick as I have to deal with the other mini Trump - Ron DeSantis and his high heel brown boots& skirts - Moms 4 Liberty, who have become his mouthpiece in our local school boards.

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100% I have the same issue and PTSD responses to the extreme people in our government

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A cross between the Twilight Zone and The Three Stooges!

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More or less.

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This is a huge nightmare.

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Correct.

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Get your heads out of the sand. This is all part of the ongoing coup. If Trump is put in as Speaker, legally or illegally, the minute he is given the gavel…Biden and Harris will be assassinated and Trump will be President. And the coup will be complete.

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That is precisely one of the aspect that worries me. The temptation of the “third in line” to the presidency would be too tempting for Trump who’s most likely facing life in prison hence he’d have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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The fact that it's a realistic possibility is beyond upsetting. Have we always been this weak as a country? Maybe didn't realize? How do we have procedure that allows the unelected and unaccountable to become Speaker?

Maybe we have been lucky that our system has held up this long. So. Much. Weakness.

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If someone else were writing this, I'd be inclined to roll my eyes. I hope the Dems are working across the aisle to pull together enough votes to install an alternate candidate.

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This isn’t on the Dems to work across the isle. This is an infiltration of Trump/kremlin interference and no amount of bipartisan efforts on the Democratic side will suffice. This isn’t about politics as we *knew* it- it’s about Trump et al. including foreign adversaries and their plans for the U.S.

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Please, God, this cannot happen. Unbelievable.

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Terrifying. Thanks for breaking this down, Seth! What are your thoughts on 5+ Rs joining the Dems in a coalition? Unlikely, I know, but we are uncertain times...are there five more people in the House chamber that truly care more about democracy and the constitution than their political future (and physical safety)?

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I added an addendum on this, make sure you check it out. I would put the odds at, I don't know, 25% or so that the Dems could peel off 5 GOP votes. Keep in mind those people would be ending their political careers. effectively. It is a big ask (at least in Washington).

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Thank you, Seth!

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founding

Not only careers; they, their staff, and families would be immediately inundated with sick threats to life and limb.

The near decade of constant stochastic terrorism from MAGA is doing a lot of the heavy lifting of bringing an end to American democracy. Like we heard in the past few weeks, some GOP Senators wanted to vote to impeach tRump, but were too afraid for themselves and their family to do so.

Compound this with good, decent, people fleeing school boards, election workers, libraires, etc, etc... it's putting depraved MAGAts in power in every corner and crook of America from local to federal.

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Those house people, who might consider voting against Trump, will see their careers end either way. Trumps main activity will be removing anyone who MIGHT not support him 100%.

They want more crazy and corruption.

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Unfortunately that is magical thinking. We’ve witnessed history unfolding in real time and very few have stood up to MAGA. Very few.

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I had a sick feeling there was a madness to their method. The whole Speaker of the House BS, this was planned for awhile. This is so surreal.

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... and we have Matt Gaetz to thank for this... make it STOP!!!

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Gaetz, McCarthy, Jordan, Greene... so much blame to go around here.

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I apologize to all of you since I live in Florida. And this Floriduh Man is a product of entitlement, privilege and power grab and ignorance. His ego, like Trump’s, has no boundaries.

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Doesn’t matter he’s not eligible because of the crimes he’s indicted for; there are rules in Congress that have to be followed and that is one of them

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No, they are GOP conference rules easily changed—not congressional rules. You have to read the article and see the links.

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No, Democrats should’ve voted against removing him

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A set-up? Maybe this is why McCarthy stopped fighting and then after losing said he wouldn't run again?

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I thought it was suspect that he gave up so easily.

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NOOOOOOOO!!!! This would be a disaster for America. OMG!

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Yes, agreed.

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We will soon see how many republicans are truly going to

HONOR THEIR OATHS TO THE CONSTITUTION

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It will be about like the devotion to their oath of office we witnessed during both impeachment hearings. Very few.

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Don't forget that his MAGA TRASH Domestic Terrorists would then Try to assasinate everyone between him and the Presidency

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How many House republicans are there that won with tight margins in a district Biden won? Maybe dems make a deal with them that they vote for Jeffries in exchange for becoming democratic-caucusing independents.

Or maybe dems vote for Liz Cheney

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In my worst nightmares, I never dreamed things would be this bad.

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Great quick piece. Two points in addition.

1. The last time Trump told the truth, he misunderstood the question. Always lies. So when he says “I’d consider” being Speaker “for short while” “if they need me” and “I’ll unite party” we know each of these is the opposite. Translation: I will take this for the duration bc I need it/you and will purge those without fealty. He’s acting casual and deferential to catch them off guard and if/when the timing right he makes his move. I hope Jeffries has a confidential plan with handful of Rs in the ready.

2. Another benefit for Cinnamon Hitler if Speaker - if/when he loses 2024 he can prob derail certification and overturn. The biggest insurance card in the world, how can he not jump at the chance with his legal jeopardy skyrocketing (and he knows what’s left to come out).

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