Social media users mocked Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) for a word salad explanation for why he was backing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to continue in the leadership role.
Van Drew’s comments on Fox Business contained contradictions and signs of utter subservience to President-elect Donald Trump, critics said.
The congressman ― who defected from the Democrats in 2019 in protest against the first impeachment of Trump and whose Iranian “mothership” claims earlier this month about drone sightings was swatted down by the Pentagon ― was asked if he supported Johnson’s bid to retain the top House job.
Van Drew said: “I am supporting the speaker and let me say, if, you know, I hear from President Donald Trump, who I do speak with relatively regularly and I have a relationship with him, to the contrary, that would change my mind.”
He continued: “Let me say this, I’m a very independent person. So, I get it. I get it. Members of Congress want to express their individual viewpoint, ’We’re a coequal branch of government, etc, etc… but there was a mandate from the people of the United States of America in both the popular vote and the electoral vote to make change.”
It’s time for Republicans to “put our big boy pants on,” “work together and get stuff done,” “stop acting goofy” and focus,” he added.
Watch the Fox Business clip here:
Critics, though, were dubious about his “very independent” claim, given his apparent willingness to ditch his own view if Trump demanded so.