Critics of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) are lining up after President-elect Donald Trump put his thumb on the scale.
Johnson finished the 118th Congress embroiled in a government funding battle — angering conservatives, moderates and even Trump himself — and his chances of retaining a spot in the next Congress appeared grim.
Trump appears to have saved Johnson with a Truth Social post.
The once-and-future president took Johnson on the air for more than a week after Johnson failed to meet Trump’s request to raise the debt ceiling through a government funding bill.
With no word from Trump, many Republicans began publicly expressing reservations about voting for Johnson.
Many Johnson holdouts have united around Johnson since Trump’s December 30 statement.
Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) riderSaying “President Trump wants Speaker Johnson.”
Representative-elect Brandon Gill (R-TX), who is expected to join the House Freedom Caucus, also cited Trump’s support in saying he would support Johnson. Beloved Posted To implement Trump’s agenda, “President Trump wants Speaker Johnson, so Mike is the guy!”
Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ), who earlier this year joined with Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) to table a resolution to vacate the vote to expel Johnson. could be forced, after Trump’s support announced that he would now vote Same for Johnson.
Johnson is not out of the woods yet.
Massey has made clear that he will not vote for Johnson if all members are expected to do so so he cannot lose any additional Republicans.
But it is unlikely that any additional Republicans will be willing to move against Trump.
Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX) and Victoria Spartz (R-IN) are among the most prominent among those still considering their options. They were among a handful of members of the House Freedom Caucus who met with Johnson inside the speaker’s suite at the Capitol on Thursday.
Following Trump’s endorsement, those protests appear to be part of talks with Johnson, which are likely to ensure commitments regarding legislation brought to the House and the formation of the powerful House Rules Committee.
The 119th Congress will meet on Friday at noon EST to take a roll call vote for Speaker.
Johnson’s election is not a sure thing, but if he succeeds in retaining the post after a difficult 14-month tenure, he will have Trump to thank.
Bradley Jay is the Capitol Hill correspondent for Breitbart News. Follow him on X/Twitter @BradleyAJaye,
