An idea that has grown in popularity in recent weeks among fervent supporters of Donald Trump involves a Constitutional loophole that they wish to exploit to reinstall the former President back as Commander-In-Chief.
But a House Democrat has introduced legislation to permanently close that rear entrance to the White House.
Circulated on cards handed out at conservative political conferences and on pro-Trump web pages, the plan would get Trump named House Speaker, making him third in the line of succession to the Presidency, then impeach both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and remove them from office, thereby moving Trump back to the presidency.
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Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution gives the House the power to “choose their speaker and other officers” without any specific requirements. While every House Speaker in history has been an elected representative, the House could choose a speaker that isn’t one, at least in theory.
That’s why Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) has elected to introduce the MEMBERS Act. MEMBERS stands for Mandating that being an Elected Member Be an Essential Requirement for Speakership. Simply put, the new law would require the House Speaker to be an elected member of the House.
“This legislation would establish that mandate in very clear and direct language, and it would serve as a check against those who would seek to undermine and derogate the authority and responsibilities of the Speaker’s office,” Boyle said.
Boyle said the fact that the idea to install a non-member as speaker is even being floated should be reason enough to pass the bill, calling it an “alarm bell.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has vowed to nominate Trump as Speaker of the House even though Trump’s advocates have said he doesn’t want the job.
