Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw cold water on suggestions he take over as the next speaker of the House of Representatives, following a revolt by House conservatives that ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the post on Tuesday.

Mr. Trump said a lot of people have been asking him about pursuing the job, but said his “total focus” is on becoming the next president of the United States. Under the rules of the chamber, there is no requirement that the speaker be a sitting member of the House to be elected to the post.

“What I can say is I will do what is best for the country and for the Republican Party,” Mr. Trump told reporters staked out at his civil fraud trial in New York City. “We have some great, great people.”

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a strong Trump supporter who is thought to be auditioning for the role of his running mate, was among the Republicans to raise the prospect of the former president serving as speaker, just a day after Mr. McCarthy was ousted.

Mr. Trump said Ms. Greene is a “wonderful woman,” but insisted he was not interested in the job.

“I will do whatever it is to help, but my focus, my total focus is being president, and quite honestly making America great again because we are living in a country in decline,” he said.

The House of Representatives made history Tuesday after eight Republicans joined Democrats in supporting Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz’s motion to remove Mr. McCarthy as speaker.

• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.