Donald Trump ally Mike Johnson faces a tough vote to remain speaker of the US House of Representatives
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Mike Johnson faces a tough vote to keep his job as speaker of the US House of Representatives as top Republicans try to avoid a chaotic start to Donald Trump’s second era in Washington.
Congress lower chamber he will start work on Friday at noon, and his first task will be the election of a new Speaker of the Parliament.
Although Johnsonthe Louisiana representative who replaced Kevin McCarthy after his ouster in October 2023 remains the favorite and is backed by Donald Trump, Republicans have a majority of just 219 to 215 members, meaning he will need near-unanimous support for re-election.
Thomas Massie, a Kentucky representative, has vowed to oppose Johnson’s re-election, so another Republican defection could threaten his position, assuming all Democrats also vote against him.
“Congratulations today to Speaker Mike Johnson, a fine man of great ability, who is very close to 100% support,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
“Mike’s victory today will be a huge victory for the Republican Party.”
The vote is crucial in the short term because the House of Representatives will need to have a speaker to confirm Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election on Monday, paving the way for his Jan. 20 inauguration.
In the long term, trouble for Johnson to retain the presidency could bode poorly for Trump’s ability to push his agenda through the House of Representatives, as it would show that some Republicans are willing to defy his wishes and defy party discipline.
If Johnson is not elected on Friday’s first ballot, the process could drag on for multiple rounds, as happened in early 2023 when McCarthy was elected president after 15 votes and dramatic negotiations with non-voters within his own party.
On Thursday, Johnson met with a group of Republicans who said they had not decided whether to back him as speaker of the House – and expressed confidence that he would win them over. “I think tomorrow will go well,” he said.
No other Republican besides Massie said they would vote against him. But dozens of mainstream Conservatives were outraged before the Christmas break when Johnson proposed government funding agreement which required a compromise with Democrats to ensure its passage.
However, Johnson has remained very close to Trump and his inner circle in recent weeks, coordinating plans to quickly pass his top priorities through Congress, making it difficult for any Republican to join Massie and block Johnson.
No other candidate has emerged as a possible challenger to Johnson for the presidency, but Republican discontent is concentrated within the House Freedom Caucus, which includes the most ardent hardline conservatives. Even if Johnson survives the speakership vote, members of the House Freedom Caucus are expected to remain a thorn in his side as he tries to pass Trump-backed legislation.
