JOB VACANCY SPESIAL SAMBAL GAJI TINGGI

 Russ Vought, an influential conservative activist who went on to serve as Trump’s White House budget director, also warned against a McCarthy speakership in a statement Thursday.

“Kevin McCarthy’s speakership is in deep trouble. Members will have to go home and explain to constituents why they are voting for a leader who is not committed to waging war against a woke and weaponized government,” said Vought, now president of the conservative Center for Renewing America. “We need a wartime leader who eats confrontation with his adversaries for breakfast and is committed to an America First agenda.

“Saving the country requires nothing less.”

Asked Thursday about whether he had any concerns about support from conservatives, McCarthy pointed to GOP gains in recent years.

"I’m not concerned. And think about this: Since I’ve been leader for the last four years, we’ve only gained seats. It’s the goal of winning the majority. We won the majority. I think I accomplished the goal that we wanted to."

"People can have input," he added. "We want to have a very open input process."

McCarthy has locked up support from some Freedom Caucus members, suggesting the group is divided over who should lead Republicans in the 118th Congress.

“I’ve known him for 12 years and he’s always been open and available, and I think he’ll do a good job,” Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., a McCarthy backer, said in a phone interview.Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, joined by fellow Freedom Caucus members, at a news conference in Washington in 2021.Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images file

Some Freedom Caucus lawmakers huddled Thursday at the headquarters of the Conservative Partnership Institute, a nonprofit aligned with Trump. They will meet again on Friday ahead of Monday’s forum for leadership candidates and Tuesday’s planned GOP leadership elections, though some lawmakers are urging McCarthy to delay those internal elections until after Thanksgiving.

Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said Thursday's gathering to discuss McCarthy was about "saving their republic."

R