Mike Johnson Reelected as House Speaker with Backing from President-elect Donald Trump
WASHINGTON – On Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson narrowly regained his position, facing a challenging task of rallying a divided group of Republican lawmakers eager to advance President-elect Donald Trump’s initiatives as he prepares to return to the White House later this month.
The final tally was a close 218-215-1, possibly highlighting the future dynamics of Congress, where the Republicans hold the reins of power, yet face internal strife that could escalate, with Trump’s views significantly influencing decisions.
Johnson secured the speakership with nearly unanimous support from House Republicans, with the exception of Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who had previously vowed not to support him. South Carolina’s Ralph Norman and Texas’s Keith Self initially voted against Johnson but switched their votes after discussions with the speaker.
Even with Johnson’s victory, many Republicans were not pleased with how the new Congress commenced under complete GOP control. With the certification of Trump’s victory approaching on January 6 and the presidential inauguration set in just 17 days, the urgency is palpable.
A significant number of Republican House members had voiced concerns about Johnson, primarily triggered by a last-minute agreement in December to avert a government shutdown, reigniting worries over year-end spending negotiations. Following Trump’s full endorsement of Johnson earlier this week, some dissenting members shifted their stance, including Reps. Troy Nehls of Texas and Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who had previously sought to depose Johnson and suggested that Trump ally Elon Musk would be a better choice for speaker, encouraged her fellow Republicans to rally behind Johnson in a video shared on X on Thursday night. She stressed the importance of the Republicans’ efforts to get Trump elected.
Greene stated, “You all are tired of the drama and nonsense that comes from Washington, D.C. It’s time to focus on delivering what the American people expect from us. I’m excited to get started and will be voting for Mike Johnson.”
For a time, Greene’s calls did not sway some Republicans. Massie’s long-standing opposition to Johnson persisted despite Trump’s support and other concessions.
Massie expressed his rigid stance on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s One America News program, asserting, “You can torture me in any way, but I won’t cast my vote for Mike Johnson tomorrow, and that’s a guarantee.”
Adding tension to the situation, several incoming GOP members abstained from announcing their votes when initially called during the first round of voting on Friday.
Among those who hesitated were Andy Biggs from Arizona, Michael Cloud from Texas, Andrew Clyde from Georgia, Andy Harris from Maryland, and Chip Roy from Texas. Harris was notably seen at the back of the chamber ignoring the call for his vote. Meanwhile, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, expected to become House majority leader if Johnson maintains his position, took notes as the votes were tallied.
Ultimately, those five Republicans did change their votes to back Johnson, who sought to prevent a standoff by presenting a list of commitments akin to those requested by critics like Rep. Victoria Spartz from Indiana.
As the House vote approached, Johnson aimed to mitigate opposition by announcing his pledge to establish a working group of “independent experts” to propose spending reforms and audit federally established agencies, as well as to direct inquiries into those who have “weaponized government against Americans.”
Johnson remarked, “Failing to live up to our promises on fiscal responsibility means we do not deserve to wield power. In addition to advancing President Trump’s America First agenda, I will lead House Republicans in reducing the federal government’s size and scope, holding bureaucrats accountable, and guiding the U.S. towards a more sustainable fiscal path.”
Just two weeks prior, with a government shutdown looming on December 20, Johnson had brokered a bipartisan agreement to pass an extensive 1,500-page funding extension along with numerous additional policies. Musk had urged Republicans to oppose this deal, prompting Trump to request Congress to raise the debt ceiling, which is a formidable task.
As the situation unfolded, many House Republicans expressed doubts about Johnson continuing his leadership role for another two years, highlighting potential obstacles for Trump’s agenda in a possible second term. Around a dozen Republicans were still undecided as the House prepared for a vote on Friday.
Failure to elect a speaker could have put Johnson and Trump in a constitutional crisis, complicating the forthcoming Electoral College vote scheduled for Monday.
Historically, the last time the House Republicans struggled to choose a speaker was not long ago; it occurred in October 2023, when a group of rebellious Republicans ousted McCarthy and failed to rally behind a new candidate, resulting in a three-week legislative standstill.
Most Republicans wanted to avoid a similar situation now that they hold significant power in Washington and have a limited opportunity to advance Trump’s initiatives.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump praised Johnson, saying he had received “an unprecedented Vote of Confidence in Congress.”
Trump remarked, “Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary.” He added, “The People of America have been waiting four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They will get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!”
