Every so often, a figure emerges in the halls of Capitol Hill who manages to draw the collective ire of their peers. The mere mention of their name is enough to elicit dramatic sighs, eye-rolls so intense they could cause whiplash, and frustrated groans. For a fleeting period, this individual becomes the de facto head of the unspoken “You Can’t Sit With Us” caucus, a position earned through a potent combination of utter shamelessness and a knack for behaving like a spoiled teenager grounded from their screens for the weekend.
Currently, that embodiment of congressional exasperation is Representative Matt Gaetz, the Republican Congressman from Florida. Gaetz recently ignited further controversy by initiating a move to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and has declared his readiness to continue these attempts until McCarthy is removed from his position. This maneuver comes on the heels of McCarthy striking a deal with Democrats to prevent a government shutdown, a bipartisan effort that deeply offended Gaetz and his hardline conservative allies. They view this compromise as a betrayal of promises McCarthy allegedly made to secure the speakership back in January, after a grueling fifteen rounds of voting.
Gaetz’s actions are undeniably a political spectacle, but they carry the risk of paralyzing the House at a critical juncture when stable governance is paramount. Public opinion polls already indicated that Republicans were likely to bear the brunt of public blame in the event of a government shutdown. This type of high-stakes political brinkmanship only reinforces the Democratic narrative that the GOP cannot be entrusted with even the most basic responsibilities of governing, for fear they might set the entire system ablaze.
The vast majority of lawmakers, including many within the traditionally right-wing Freedom Caucus, have reached their limit with Gaetz. While his antics were once tolerated, or even excused, many now dismiss him as a publicity hound more focused on securing television appearances than on the serious work of legislating. Terms like “charlatan” and “fraud” are being used to describe him openly and without hesitation. One lawmaker offered a particularly cutting assessment, labeling him “a smart guy without morals.” Even those who typically enable Gaetz’s behavior are reportedly growing tired of the constant negative headlines, especially when there seems to be little strategic foresight beyond the initial shock value.
Across the political spectrum, lawmakers largely agree that the escalating feud between Gaetz and McCarthy is driven by personal animosity rather than fundamental policy differences. Gaetz and his dwindling circle of supporters believe – without concrete evidence – that McCarthy allowed a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz to proceed excessively and for too long. This suspicion persists even though the Justice Department concluded its investigation into allegations of Gaetz’s involvement in a sex trafficking case without filing criminal charges. Despite McCarthy’s denials of any involvement in the ethics investigation, Gaetz perceives McCarthy’s hand in every setback, and is reportedly considering a run for Florida governor in 2026. (This ongoing conflict also serves to build a national profile for Gaetz, after a previous fundraising effort with Marjorie Taylor Greene faltered). This dispute has cultivated a volatile mix of paranoia and deep-seated resentment. In a recent meeting, one exasperated lawmaker reportedly told Gaetz to “f— off” after Gaetz repeated unsubstantiated claims of McCarthy’s underhanded dealings against him.
However, Gaetz appears unfazed by the growing backlash. The very purpose of his dramatic actions is to capture attention. He is likely well aware that his support within Congress is rapidly diminishing. Gaetz is not realistically vying for the speakership himself; his strengths lie in generating media buzz and campaign donations, not in the intricacies of governance. This is, after all, the same individual who once wore a gas mask to a vote on Covid-19 funding, effectively blocked McCarthy’s speakership bid on the 14th ballot by voting “present,” and consistently injects culture-war theatrics into committee hearings, including those concerning aid to Ukraine, and seemingly any other forum available to him.
As for McCarthy, his hold on the speakership is now precarious and no longer solely determined by his own party. Should Democrats unite and vote in favor of removing McCarthy, his position becomes untenable, as Gaetz appears to have secured the minimal number of Republican votes needed to trigger a successful motion to vacate. While some progressive Democrats have expressed reluctance to rescue McCarthy, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has yet to reveal his party’s strategy. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark has indicated that discussions are underway within the Democratic caucus regarding how they should vote if a motion to depose McCarthy reaches the House floor. In essence, Democrats could potentially wield significant influence in deciding who leads the House Republicans, mirroring their collaboration with McCarthy to avert a government shutdown.
Such an outcome would be a stark deviation from Gaetz’s stated objectives. But perhaps that is precisely the point. Gaetz long ago abandoned any pretense of prioritizing a conservative agenda or genuinely opposing Democratic spending initiatives. In a city notorious for inflated egos and an aversion to compromise, the fact that a relatively junior congressman from Florida’s conservative stronghold can so dramatically command attention speaks volumes about his unwavering self-assurance and disregard for conventional norms. Currently, it seems no one in Washington genuinely likes Matt Gaetz. And, if his actions are any indication, Matt Gaetz wouldn’t have it any other way.
