South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson Blasts Gaetz Move to Oust McCarthy: Trying ‘an Unauthorized Coup’

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., is standing behind House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., amid an effort to oust him from his leadership position.

Appearing on CNN This Morning on Tuesday ahead of a motion to vacate vote, Johnson called the ousting effort an "unauthorized coup" by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

Gaetz has suggested he could bring a motion to vacate order forth more than a dozen times to attempt to remove McCarthy.

Gaetz was heavily critical of McCarthy's handling of federal budget negotiations. The Florida Republican called for steeper spending cuts as a government shutdown loomed. A 40 day continuing resolution was eventually passed.

Johnson claimed there are far more Republicans backing McCarthy than Gaetz.

"Yeah, Matt Gaetz is going to try an unauthorized coup. He is trying to get some of the most liberal voices on the Democratic side to help him. I know Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal supporter of his efforts," he told CNN. "To answer your question, I do think there will be a number of Democrats who understand that this kind of chaos does not serve our country well, that we've got a southern border in crisis and we only have the government funded for 40 more days. Maybe we should actually focus on solving a few problems than these kind of D.C. parlor games."

Lawmakers interviewed by The Messenger expressed a mix of support and disapproval for McCarthy ahead of a motion to vacate vote.

McCarthy has meanwhile suggested Gaetz is personally motivated in his effort and repeatedly told him to "bring it on."