Thomas Massie calls GOP's decision to replace Kevin McCarthy with Mike Johnson a 'grave mistake'

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky) said on Friday, August 16, that it was a grave mistake for conservative lawmakers to choose current Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) to succeed outgoing speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In 2023, McCarthy was removed from his position as speaker, marking the first instance in history of this happening to a sitting speaker. Republican disagreement delayed speaker Johnson's selection for weeks, causing chaos. Later, Johnson was the target of an attempt to have him removed by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, but he survived. 

Thomas Massie's bombshell post about Mike Johnson

Representative Thomas Massie wrote that the disorderly events show a serious mistake by Republican lawmakers, reports CBS-affiliated KCBY11. 

“Switching from McCarthy to Johnson was the biggest mistake I’ve seen conservatives make in my decade of serving in Congress,” he wrote in a seemingly unprompted post via X. “Second biggest mistake is when Freedom Caucus voted for Paul Ryan after we got rid of John Boehner," he further said, adding "It’s like ground hog day.”

Thomas Massie touched upon the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The Bluegrass State Republican also discussed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was passed during the start of Covid-19 in the United States. Representative Massie called it “the worst legislation ever.” "CARES Act is the worst legislation ever, but in that instance conservatives were just terrified and did nothing," he tweeted. 

Responding to a question from a follower, Representative Massie clarified he directed his remarks at “those among the GOP who hold themselves out to be conservatives,” but not the GOP at large.

Mike Johnson refrained from imposing a fine on Thomas Massie 

In April, Mike Johnson declared that Thomas Massie would not be subject to a $500 punishment for posting a video from the House floor on social media. A video of Democratic members applauding and waving Ukrainian flags was shared at the time by Representative Massie.

“Upon viewing Representative Massie’s tweet, our team reached out to the Sergeant at Arms,” Speaker Johnson wrote. “I do not agree with this assessment and there will be no fine imposed on Representative Massie,” he added.

Internet contradicts Thomas Massie's tweet on Mike Johnson

Netizens lashed out at Thomas Massie after he criticized GOP's decision to replace Kevin McCarthy with Mike Johnson. One X user tweeted, "They are both awful." Another added, "I can't take any of you serious anymore. Y'all are on vacation during 1 of the most turbulent times in the country. All y'all do is post on X then nothing ever happens afterwards."

"Should've switched from McCarthy to honestly anyone else," opined one. "Getting rid of McCarthy wasn't a mistake, replacing him with Johnson was," remarked someone else. 

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.