The hard-right caucus reportedly plotting a coup against House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) may think they are standing up for conservative principals. But members of their own party see their antics as a boon to Democrats.
“The right-wing Marxist [sic] have teamed up with Pelosi. They’re the ones who always team up with Pelosi. They are the Pelosi Republicans,” Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), a Boehner ally, told The Hill. “The Freedom Caucus is an arm of Pelosi.”
As lawmakers brace for a possible government shutdown, Boehner’s supporters have expressed concerns that the conservative members pushing for a shutdown will use any compromise the speaker makes to avert it as an excuse to overthrow him. According to The Hill report, Democrats have said they would help keep Boehner in power if Republican hardliners attempted to unseat him.