Controversial Fallout: GOP Speaker Candidates Retreat from Fox Forum Amidst Intense Backlash

House speaker candidates have withdrawn from a scheduled joint interview on Fox News next week shortly after its announcement due to strong opposition from GOP lawmakers. This is another indication of the escalating tensions within the conference as Republicans urgently search for a new leader after Kevin McCarthy's unexpected removal. Rep. Jim Jordan and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the top Republican contenders for speaker, have reversed their decision to be interviewed together on Fox News with anchor Bret Baier at the Capitol on Monday. Additionally, a third potential candidate for speaker has also declined to take part in the forum.

Jordan and Scalise discussed the matter on Friday and mutually agreed that it would not be prudent to proceed with the forum. A comment request made to Fox News spokesperson remains unanswered at present.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez of Florida criticized the notion as unproductive, asserting that the matter of selecting the speaker should be discussed internally within the Republican party instead of being televised. "This idea is terrible," stated Gimenez.

He further expressed doubts about the candidates and their decision-making, suggesting that they might be out of touch with the conference. "If both of them believed this was a sound plan, then perhaps they lack a proper understanding of the situation," Gimenez remarked. "I have significant concerns."

According to a spokesperson for Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, he will not be attending the event until he has the opportunity to address the conference beforehand. The conference is currently set for Tuesday. Similarly, a spokesperson for Scalise informed CNN that the majority leader will also not be participating.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Scalise initially declined the invitation to the Fox News event. However, he was informed that both Jordan and Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern had already agreed to participate. On Thursday, CNN reported that the House GOP conference had scheduled an in-person meeting at 6 p.m. ET on Monday. This meeting would precede the GOPs speaker candidates forum on Tuesday and their internal election on Wednesday.

According to a spokesperson from Mr. Jordan, he is eager to discuss his country's plan, but he emphasizes the importance of meeting with the GOP conference prior to the event, as reported by CNN. On Friday morning, Fox News announced a press release stating that Baier would be conducting an "exclusive joint interview" with Scalise, Jordan, and Hern at the Capitol on Monday. However, the press release was subsequently removed from Fox's website.

Hern, who has not yet announced his intention to run for the position of speaker, made a public announcement on Friday that he would not be participating in the televised debate.

"I have not yet determined whether I will be a candidate for speaker, but there is one thing I am sure of. I will not be taking part in the televised debate," Hern stated on X, the platform formerly identified as Twitter. "We should make this decision collectively as a conference, rather than on television. The Republican conference requires an open discussion among its members."

Several House Republicans expressed their anger over the decision for speaker candidates to have a televised interview from the Capitol before addressing the GOP conference. Some lawmakers have already shared their frustrations with the candidates, describing the decision as "insanity" and causing people to be upset. Another Republican stated that this would result in their speakers race becoming a "circus." A third lawmaker anticipated that the event would not proceed as planned due to the significant internal resistance it had already faced.

Yet, there was at least one Republican who expressed their endorsement for the concept.

"Why would anyone find this infuriating? Our Republican constituency should have the opportunity to listen to the candidates vying for this significant role during such a crucial period for our party and nation," stated Rep. Jim Banks, a Republican from Indiana and a supporter of Jordan, in a statement posted on X.

Internal party races for leadership seats are usually conducted privately, with candidates seeking support from their colleagues in secret ballots. However, the current speakers race, which arose after Kevin McCarthy's removal through a floor vote, has revealed a significant degree of external influence even before the possibility of a Fox event. Former President Donald Trump has already expressed his support for Jordan.

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Both Jordan and Scalise are striving to distance themselves from the Fox candidate forum plans, as they have received an angry reaction from moderate members in the conference. These moderates are crucial as both candidates aim to position themselves as the top choice for the next speaker, appealing to a wide range of opinions within the conference.

Considering the uneasiness of some GOP lawmakers towards the conservative politics of Jordan and Scalise, and their lingering anger towards the hardline faction involved in the removal of McCarthy through an unprecedented floor vote this week, moderate Republicans could play a decisive role in determining the future speaker.

Interim speaker Rep. Patrick McHenry told reporters Friday there will be an update for the conference on next weeks schedule later in the day.

CNNs Oliver Darcy contributed.