'Gaslight elsewhere': Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy slammed for saying Republicans won't boot his successor Mike Johnson

WASHINGTON, DC: Ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy predicted that the Republican members of the lower chamber would not expel his successor, Mike Johnson, from the speakership at this Congress session, the New York Post reported.

McCarthy's remarks came after Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to remove Johnson from the position last week.

"Speaker Johnson is doing the very best job he can. It's a difficult situation," the former speaker said in an interview on CBS' 'Face the Nation' on Sunday, March 24.

"I do not think they could do it again. I don't think the Democrats will go along with it," he added.

McCarthy was dethroned from the position by the GOP-controlled House in October 2023 when eight Republican representatives joined Democrats against him, and Johnson assumed the position the same month.

Since removing the former Congressman from the Speaker's chair, Republicans failed to maintain their razor-thin majority in the chamber, which will soon become 217 to 213 in April after Rep Mike Gallagher's early resignation becomes effective.

Greene, a hardcore Trump ally, turned highly critical of Johnson's speakership after the House passed a $1.2 trillion package to prevent a government shutdown.

Kevin McCarthy takes a swipe at Rep Matt Gaetz

Further into the interview, McCarthy accused Rep Matt Gaetz of causing his expulsion from the speakership while discussing the situations that led to his removal being different from what surrounds his successor.

"There's times she was a difference of opinion to you sit down and find common ground," the ex-lawmaker said about Greene.

But his opinion about Gaetz indicated a rivalry. "Matt's case was much different. It's about a personal thing," McCarthy said. "That was surely based on Matt Gaetz trying to stop an ethics complaint," he further claimed about the Florida Republican's role in his removal.

However, Gaetz does not support Greene's motion to remove the current speaker this time.

McCarthy also advised Johnson to "not be fearful of a motion to vacate" and "move forward."

Internet blasts Kevin McCarthy

Netizens lashed out at the former speaker for claiming House Republicans would not remove his successor, Johnson, in this session of the Congress.

One user said, "Gaslight elsewhere @SpeakerMcCarthy."

"YOU ARE A TRAITOR AND A LIAR. NOW YOU ARE GETTING OTHERS TO QUIT FOR REVENGE. THAT'S EVIL," another user blasted.

A user added, "Ahh yes, all of those members of Congress voted that way because one caucus member had an agenda… or, OR it was YOU, you were weak and basically a dem…"

"Go away, McCarthy, far away!" one response read. While another wrote, "Is that all he’s got???? He been whining about an ‘ethics complaint’ for years."

Someone else added, "The only good thing that the Republicans have done in the House was kicking Ultra RINO McCarthy from the Speakership."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.