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Homophobe Matt Gaetz Seeks Democratic Alliance to Oust McCarthy Amid Shutdown Drama: Report

Homophobe Matt Gaetz Seeks Democratic Alliance to Oust McCarthy Amid Shutdown Drama: Report

Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy

In a rare crossover, Rep. Matt Gaetz courts House Democrats to unseat Speaker Kevin McCarthy, intensifying GOP discord as the shutdown clock ticks.

Cwnewser

Amidst the shadow of an impending government shutdown, Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz is quietly rallying support among some House Democrats to unseat Speaker Kevin McCarthy. This cross-party maneuver unfolds as the Congress faces a ticking clock, heightening the existing partisan tensions.

A staunch conservative with an extensive anti-LGBTQ+ record, Gaetz has initiated private discussions with several Democrats, hinting at a potential vote of no confidence against McCarthy if he allies with Democrats to thwart the looming shutdown.

This development was reported by Politico, which highlighted the dialogue between Gaetz and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington.

In their conversation, Jayapal reportedly told Gaetz that progressives “are not planning to save McCarthy — for many reasons,” urging him to hold off any move against the Speaker until the shutdown crisis is navigated. The shutdown is set to commence a little after midnight Sunday, drawing lawmakers’ focus across the aisle.

Related: How a Federal Government Shutdown Will and Won't Affect You

Politico's report further noted that Jayapal wasn’t the only Democrat Gaetz reached out to. He also spoke with Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, a pivotal figure on the House Rules Committee, and Texas Rep. Greg Casar, a whip for the progressive group. Despite these engagements, Gaetz refuted the claims of fostering an ouster bid, labeling them as “false,” and emphasized his aim to derail a short-term spending bill slated for a vote on Friday, a strategy spearheaded by McCarthy.

These unfolding dynamics are predicted to trigger resentment among GOP members, who view Gaetz’s outreach across the aisle as hypocritical, particularly when condemning McCarthy for similar bipartisan attempts. Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican, openly chastised Gaetz, calling him a “charlatan” seeking to undermine the GOP majority and McCarthy for self-centered political motives.

An anonymous McCarthy-aligned Republican expressed frustration with Gaetz advocating for his removal. This Republican harbored hope that the ongoing House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz would yield a resolution enabling the party to act decisively against him, Politico reported.

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Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).
Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).