There’s a sentence in a New York Times profile of Kevin McCarthy – and his pursuit of the House speakership – that should send chills up the spine of any ally of the California Republican.

It’s this one: “Current and former aides to [Donald] Trump describe Mr. McCarthy’s relationship with the former president as cordial but lacking in any loyalty.”

Oomph.

Here’s why that line is a big problem for McCarthy. If the GOP takes control of the House in the November midterm elections, he would need a simple majority (218) of the 435 members of the chamber to be elected speaker.