US President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Representative Mike Johnson to retain his position as House Speaker, just ahead of the upcoming vote set for Friday, marking the commencement of the 119th congressional session.
Johnson’s role has been under scrutiny since he collaborated with Democrats on a bipartisan funding plan, leading to internal party opposition. With a narrow Republican majority in the House, Johnson can only afford to lose two votes from his party to maintain his speakership, which he has held since October 2023.
In a social media post, Trump praised Johnson, stating, “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. MAGA!!!” Despite this endorsement, Kentucky’s Representative Thomas Massie has declared his opposition to Johnson.
The endorsement comes at a time when several Republicans remain on the fence, and it will test Trump’s sway over the GOP in Congress. Johnson expressed his gratitude for Trump’s support on X, saying, “Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America.”
The tension within the party partly arises from Johnson’s recent bipartisan efforts to prevent a government shutdown by meeting a 20 December deadline. This deal included provisions some Republicans opposed, leading to discontent. Trump, alongside tech mogul Elon Musk, criticized the agreement for wasteful spending and pushed for amendments including raising the federal borrowing limit.
However, the House ultimately rejected the spending bill backed by Trump, with many Republicans joining Democrats against it. The final bill passed both the House and Senate without addressing the debt ceiling, potentially straining Johnson’s relationship with Trump, who is set to assume office in late January.
This final legislation also omitted Democratic proposals like pay raises for lawmakers, healthcare reforms, and regulations against deceptive advertising at hotels and events. The political landscape is reminiscent of the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, after he made concessions to Senate Democrats to keep government agencies funded, which led to a revolt by party hardliners.
As the vote for Speaker nears, the dynamics within the Republican party, Trump’s influence, and Johnson’s leadership will be closely watched.