President-elect Donald Trump‘s endorsement of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appears to have done little to convince some of Johnson’s staunchest Republican critics on Monday.
Why It Matters
Johnson, whose continued role as speaker is up for a vote after the new House is sworn in on Friday, recently faced heavy criticism from some of his GOP colleagues over a federal funding fight that nearly triggered a government shutdown just days before Christmas.
Trump praised Johnson as “a good, hard working, religious man” while endorsing his continued speakership in the closely divided House. Republican lawmakers refusing to back Johnson despite Trump’s endorsement could reveal cracks in the president-elect’s ability to hold sway over his party.
What We Know
“LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Monday. “The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration.”
“Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man,” he added. “He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement.”
Several Republican House members who previously announced their opposition to Johnson continuing quickly weighed in on the endorsement but seemed less than convinced, with some comparing Johnson to former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who has was also endorsed by Trump but has since become a figure reviled by the president-elect and many other MAGA Republicans.
What People Are Saying
Congressman Thomas Massie, on X, formerly Twitter: “I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget.”
Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, on X: “I understand why President Trump is endorsing Speaker Johnson as he did Speaker Ryan, which is definitely important. However, we still need to get assurances that @SpeakerJohnson won’t sell us out to the swamp.”
“President Trump will be able to save America only if we have a speaker with courage, vision and a plan – also public commitment to the American people how he will help deliver President Trump’s agenda to drain the swamp.”
Congressman Andy Biggs, during a Fox News appearance: “I haven’t publicly or privately committed yet. I do want to speak with the speaker just to see what his plans are, because I think there are some issues that need to be worked out, specifically dealing with the budget issues.”
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who resigned from the House amid a failed nomination to Trump’s Cabinet in November, on X: “Trump endorsing Johnson is ‘art of the deal’ level practicality. We could never have held up McCarthy two years ago for concessions if a Trump certification hung in the balance. Now, it does.
We were able to hold up McCarthy because Republican voters weren’t all that eager to see us getting back to being Biden’s bitch (which Kevin ultimately did anyway). The resistance to @SpeakerJohnson is now futile. Let’s work to make him the best version of himself (which was more like the 2023 vintage of Mike).”
Newsweek reached out for comment to Johnson’s office via email on Monday night.
What Happens Next
As Republicans are expected to have a slim 219 to 215 seat majority when the House convenes on Friday, only a small number of defections could kill Johnson’s bid to continue as speaker. If a majority does not elect him speaker, the House will be forced to continue voting until a new speaker is chosen.
A joint session of Congress is required to certify results of the presidential election on January 6, with Trump set to be inaugurated for his second term on January 20.
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