Former President Donald Trump says House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy deserves a shot to serve as speaker in the new Congress, as the California Republican lobbies for sufficient support before a vote in January.
Five House Republicans have said they are a hard “no” on Mr. McCarthy for speaker. If they hold firm, it would make it difficult for Mr. McCarthy to secure the 218 votes he needs, given there will be a 222-seat GOP majority.
“Look, I think this: Kevin has worked very hard. I think he deserves the shot,” Mr. Trump told Breitbart News. “Hopefully he’s going to be very strong and going to be very good and he’s going to do what everybody wants.