President-elect
Donald Trump gave House Republican lawmakers a directive on Monday, days before what is expected to become an embattled speakership fight: Support Mike Johnson’s reelection.
In a lengthy post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump argued that Republicans should “NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN” by voters to immediately govern, which would require Johnson (R-Louisiana) to be swiftly reelected as House speaker to wield the gavel on Friday.
“Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote.
House Republicans have said for weeks that Trump would have the final say on whether Johnson keeps the gavel or is replaced. His endorsement is significant as it signals to House Republicans to stay in line and back Johnson, who began losing support from several corners of the GOP conference during negotiations on how to fund the government earlier this month.
It also blunts significant efforts by some in the far-right House Freedom Caucus, which was mulling trying to replace Johnson with another Republican leader or demanding concessions for their support.
Johnson needs the support of 218 lawmakers to be reelected speaker. That support must come from his Republican conference, given that Democrats will back Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) for the role.
Starting the year with just a 219-seat majority — following the resignation last month of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) — Johnson can lose support from only one Republican to win the speakership. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) has already pledged to vote against him, meaning that Johnson must win over all remaining Republicans.
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