So, what would it be like to have a House Speaker Donald Trump? Well, ridiculous for certain, but that has never stopped him in the past. Impossible? Yes, of course…oh wait, maybe it could be possible. There is nothing in the Constitution about it for sure. No law against it either. Well, that is a scary thought. Is anyone going to do something about it?
Certainly, the Speaker has always been a member of the House, but Trump wiped out institutional norms with all the aplomb of a Kansas tornado. The Democrats have just leaped into action — finally. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA) introduced a bill that would formalize how each Speaker must meet the criterion of being an elected House member:
‘That Donald Trump’s name would even be tossed around as a potential speaker in the house, should serve as an alarm bell. This legislation would serve as a check ag/those who seek to undermine the authority and responsibilities of the Speaker’s office.’
After all, Trump did call the suggestion “so interesting,” according to The Punchbowl News. It would be sweet revenge for a man who so enjoys his revenge.
Boyle made the case that one lesson we learned under Trump’s rampant reign was that things needed to be spelled out clearly. We learned that history, tradition, and appropriateness meant nothing to him while he was in office. Why should it mean more now?
Boyle said, according to CNN:
‘The Speaker of the U.S. House is second in the United States presidential line of succession. That Donald Trump’s name would even be tossed around as a potential speaker in the people’s house, should serve as an alarm bell that our current requirements need to be amended in the name of protecting our nation and our democracy.’
Keep in mind, although we talk about the razor-thin lead in the Senate, the House is just as close with about a three-seat lead. If the Republicans take either or both chambers, they could install Trump as speaker. And if he wanted it, he would get it, given how the GOP marches in lockstep with him. At this point in time, any legislator could nominate anyone they wanted during roll call when each session of Congress begins.
Boyle’s bill nails down Congress’ House Speaker job requirements in his bill, Mandating that being an Elected Member Be an Essential Requirement for Speakership, or MEMBERS Act, according to Boyle’s House page. It would strictly exclude people outside of the House from serving as the third-in-ascendancy to the president’s office.
Some legislators have already nominated those outside of the House. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) was nominated for the job in January 2019. President Joe Biden even got one vote then, too. In 2018, voting rights activist Stacey Abrams (D-GA) was nominated as she was running for governor of her state.
The idea of a Speaker Trump came up once before. This time, the ex-president responded to the ultra-conservative radio show host Wayne Allyn Root:
‘That’s so interesting. But you know what, your idea might be better. It’s very interesting.’
Spokesman for Trump Jason Miller spoke to Punchbowl News:
‘[Trump] has zero desire to be Speaker.’
Then again, he still thinks he is president, as The Washington Post noted.
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