Washington Times · Jan 4, 2023
Trump backs McCarthy despite failed speaker votes, urges GOP to snatch victory
FILE - House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters at his weekly news conference, at the Capitol in Washington, March 18, 2022. McCarthy’s handling of the Capitol attack, especially as the House’s Jan. 6 committee investigates his conversations ...Former President Donald Trump told House Republican holdouts on Wednesday to “take the victory” and support GOP leader Kevin McCarthy for speaker after the Californian had failed in three successive ballots one day earlier.
Mr. Trump’s support could help Mr. McCarthy tally the votes he needs to win the job, but dissenters are dug in, with non-McCarthy votes rising from 19 to 20 on the third ballot.