Former President Trump criticized the numerous GOP House members leaving their positions this year, which is making the already very narrow Republican majority uncertain.
“Never forget our cowards and weaklings! Such a disgrace,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday regarding an article about the departing Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.). Truth Social post on Sunday in response to an article about outgoing Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.).
Trump’s Easter criticisms were aimed at Gallagher and former Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), who both chose to retire early from Congress, leaving their seats empty. Gallagher will resign from Congress in mid-April, leaving his seat open until next January, while Buck resigned last week to be replaced in June.
The vacancies, combined with other empty seats in the House, reduce the GOP majority to just one seat after Gallagher resigns, making it even more challenging to pass votes along party lines. Some have even speculated that Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) could be named Speaker, with some Republicans revolting against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Trump’s insults towards Gallagher reflect the widespread criticism from many within the GOP, as the congressman seemed to time his resignation to comply with Wisconsin law to avoid a special election. This ensures that his seat will remain empty until January rather than being filled in a few months.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) even urged the House to remove Gallagher as a punishment, although it would have no real impact and the effort has not gained support.
The next position to be filled, that of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), is scheduled for the end of April, leaving about three weeks with the one-seat margin.
Gallagher attributed his departure to the dysfunction of the GOP.
“Since I ran, I always said that Congress shouldn’t be a career,” Gallagher said in an interview in February, after he stated he would not seek reelection but before announcing his early resignation.
“I think that the fact that we have so many lifers and careerists in this institution is why it’s so dysfunctional, and that the framers, when they created the Constitution and this country, had in mind that you would embark on a season of service and then return to private life,” he continued.
