Newt Gingrich says Matt Gaetz ‘unleashed the demons’ in the Republican party after ousting McCarthy

As MTG made her move toward attempting to oust current House Speaker Mike Johnson, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich pointed fingers at Matt Gaetz, saying that Gaetz's push to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker “unleashed the demons“ within the Republican Party.

During an appearance on Fox News with Laura Ingraham, Gingrich criticized Gaetz's decision to lead the way for McCarthy's removal as House Speaker last October. Gingrich went on to link this decision with the recent struggles among congressional Republicans to pass meaningful legislation. The GOP also has a razor thin majority in the House.

“We shouldn’t underestimate how bad what Matt Gaetz did was for the whole system. He unleashed the demons," Gingrich claimed when speaking with Ingraham.

“He went after somebody who had raised $480 million, had gained seats for three elections in a row. And had drove Kevin McCarthy out of office. And from that point on, it has been a disaster.” Gingrich continued.

Furthermore, Gingrich commented on the legislative progress in the House post-McCarthy's ousting, arguing that the quality of the bills being passed has gotten worse because Democrats have more control. 

“Sooner or later you’re going to realize the bills have been worse since McCarthy was gone. The Democrats are in greater control. The hard-liners on the right have done nothing except make it worse,” Gingrich explained. 

Gingrich advocated for electing Donald Trump in November with a substantial majority to counterbalance Democratic influence effectively and increase the Republican majority. Gingrich referenced the fact that Republicans have such a small majority as “the best argument” for why the American public should elect Trump with a large majority in the upcoming election. 

The comments made by Gingrich come at a time where now the current House Speaker, Mike Johnson, is facing calls for removal. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene recently filed a motion to vacate Speaker Johnson, primarily citing Johnson’s handling of the $1.2 trillion spending bill that was recently approved by Congress and signed into law by President Biden.