Matt Gaetz Held GOP 'Hostage' For Ousting Speaker: Peter King

WASHINGTON, DC — House Republicans are starting anew after ousting Kevin McCarthy as speaker, a first for the congressional body.

"What we're dealing with is a very small group," Rep. Anthony D'Esposito (R-Island Park), who was a strong ally of McCarthy, told Patch."A guy like Matt Gaetz is an egotistical maniac, an extremist, who is utilizing our rules here in the House of Representatives for his personal gain."

It was Gaetz, the Florida congressman, who led the charge for McCarthy to vacate his seat. By allowing one person to bring a motion to vacate the floor, Gaetz was instrumental in securing a deal for McCarthy to seal the votes in January on the 15th round.

"The rule needs to change for the good of the institution and the good of the country," D'Esposito said. "We don't need to see a repeat of this maniac now bringing our country to a halt."

Former congressman Peter King told Patch: "It was Matt Gaetz and his hostage takers who were using their seven or eight members to take the whole party hostage."

On Tuesday, seven Republicans joined Gaetz in voting for McCarthy to lose the gavel.

"The only reason [he] isn't Speaker of the House is because of Democrats. Matt Gaetz needed every single Democrat on the House floor, including the far left, the ones he despises the most," D'Esposito said.

While the House will not reconvene until Tuesday, there will be plenty of conversations about who should be the next speaker.

"Obviously, those that are in leadership are going to have the upper hand," D'Esposito said.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is one of those politicians, who is expected to muster support but is dealing with a recent blood cancer diagnosis.

"Steve is a great guy. I like him," King said. "If I was in [his] condition and I told my wife I was running for speaker, she'd probably divorce me."

But, King calls this a "terrible precedent," as the next speaker is "going to have this sword hanging over them."

Another name that Gaetz mentioned as a possible speaker candidate is former Long Island congressman Lee Zeldin.

"He's a tremendous leader," D' Esposito said. "He has a very long and successful career left in politics and government, but I think we have people [who] are here right now in leadership that are qualified to be Speaker of the House."

While King respects his former congressional colleague, "I don't know anyone out there today who can come in from the outside, with the clout and strength, to keep these lunatics under control," King said.

Former president Donald Trump has also been named as McCarthy's successor.

"My response is the same. I'm confident that we have quality individuals in this institution [who] can serve as Speaker of the House," D'Esposito said.

As for McCarthy's future in Congress, King thinks the humiliation might ultimately lead to his resignation.

From being third in line in presidential succession, "to be sitting in the peanut gallery, like a Matt Gaetz," King said. "That's a tough position to be in."