Tensions escalated within the House GOP as Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Derrick Van Orden engaged in a heated exchange. Gaetz, who initially did not support a motion to vacate the chair, found himself in a tense conversation with Johnson, who is considering changes to the motion. Meanwhile, Van Orden, who entered a 20-minute heated discussion on the House floor, dared his colleagues to proceed with the motion to oust Johnson. This conflict arose after Van Orden called Gaetz 'tubby,' a remark made in response to Gaetz labeling him a 'squish.' The situation underscores the high tensions and disagreements over the motion to vacate the chair, a critical accountability tool within the party.
Motion to vacate. https://t.co/ABXhCFguf9
Vacate.The.Chair https://t.co/8HmZc6gyqR https://t.co/gUwq8oMgOg
MOTION TO VACATE THE CHAIR—NOW!!!!!
House GOP tensions are getting so high that Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) reportedly called Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) … “tubby.” https://t.co/FlKIIGZQWf
Speaker Johnson all but conceding he’ll remain trapped under the structure of a one-person motion to vacate, since not enough Rs want to amend it. Gaetz earlier called it an accountability tool and resisted any changes https://t.co/L0VTPA4qud
Van Orden called Gaetz “tubby” during the interaction — a jab he said he leveled after Gaetz called him a “squish” as they huddled on the floor." https://t.co/zy1BlEwzHc via @lawrencegandrea
Just spoke to Derrick Van Orden. He tells me he was calling Matt Gaetz “tubby” — not Speaker Johnson — after Gaetz called DVO a “squish” Says he saw group around Johnson & joined the group to support Johnson. Called Gaetz a bully & said only way to stop bully is to “push back” https://t.co/mWjdHxZWdP
News -- Matt Gaetz tells us he engaged in a 'tense' conversation with Johnson, who didn't rule out changing motion to vacate now in upcoming rule (Also got into it with Rep. Van Orden who was daring them to move ahead with vacate vote - which Gaetz doesn't support w Johnson) https://t.co/VyBdpSlN9y
Things got heated on the House floor. DVO called Gaetz “tubby” in fiery scrum GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden entered the 20 minute heated floor conversation as it was ongoing and dared his right-wing colleagues to move on the motion to oust Johnson W/ @AnnieGrayerCNN
If Gaetz sparks a motion to vacate because of motion to vacate, then we need a motion to vacate the motion to vacate the other motion to vacate. https://t.co/A9GXQWuvOX https://t.co/FHkmK46Ywd
Gaetz says changes to a motion to vacate would likely spark a motion to vacate. “I didn't support one when I woke up this morning,” he said. https://t.co/uEAB5e3ym1
MOTION TO VACATE https://t.co/zViNtcmaRD