Gaetz, Burchett: Ouster of McCarthy Was ‘Worth It’ to Elevate Johnson

Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., two of the Republican votes that helped oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., say the move was "worth it" in order to elevate new Speaker-designee Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La.

“It was worth it,” Gaetz told reporters after Johnson received the GOP nomination for the gavel on Tuesday.

He added: “To everyone who said I didn’t have a plan: this guy has been sitting next to me for seven years on the House Judiciary Committee. I hope my mentorship has rubbed off.”

Gaetz went on to praise Johnson as a "transformational leader" and said he is "broadly respected" among members of the caucus.

“We adore him, and I think he’s gonna do a great job for the country and for the right reasons,” Gaetz said. “Mike Johnson is not bought and paid for. Mike Johnson does what is right.”

Burchett echoed Gaetz's commentary of Johnson, saying the decision to fire McCarthy was "absolutely worth it." He said he looked at Johnson as a "dark horse" and a "very decent person."

“I said, we get someone like a Mike Johnson, we could win, the country would win,” Burchett said.

Johnson is the fourth Republican to receive the nomination for Speaker after Reps. Steve Scalise, R-La., Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Tom Emmer, R-Minn., failed to acquire the 217 necessary votes to secure the role.