Matt Gaetz calls Trump loyalist Jim Jordan 'the spiritual and intellectual leader' of House Republicans

In an interview with Time Magazine, Gaetz praised Jordan as the spiritual and intellectual leader of the Republican conference.

The Florida lawmaker downplayed senior GOP leaders in the House, pointing to Jordan as a revered figure in a caucus dominated by its most conservative voices.

Gaetz told the publication that the conference went where Jim went. I don't know who holds the austere titles that add to corner offices and expanded staff budgets, but they are the followers.

"We are the leaders," he said.

Gaetz stated in the Time interview that no one has yet reached out to him about the upcoming vote for House Speaker, which will take place after the November elections.

Republicans feel confident that they can win the 218 seats needed to control the chamber, driven by President Joe Biden's mediocre approval ratings and the party in power historically losing congressional seats in the first election after they occupy the White House.

Gaetz has been critical of McCarthy, who is poised to become the speaker if Republicans regain control of the lower chamber.

After The New York Times published an audio recording in which McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana expressed concern about comments that Gaetz made about Liz Cheney, the Florida congressman tore into GOP leadership.

He said that the two congressmen shared their views on President Trump and me with Liz Cheney. Weak men are not leaders.

He said that you don't have to be a lobbyist to know what McCarthy and Scalise think. You just have to listen to what they have to say.

McCarthy was Jordan's choice to become Speaker.

Gaetz has a lot of praise for Jordan. He said in April that Jordan was the hardest working and most talented member of the conference. The congressman told Time that Jordan was what he wanted in a Republican leader.

Gaetz said that in 2015. The way for Ryan to lead the House was paved by the fact that McCarthy withdrew his candidacy at the last moment.

He said that Paul Ryan was for Kevin McCarthy. The first step to becoming Speaker is to support Kevin McCarthy.