President-elect Donald Trump has given a full endorsement to embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), potentially hedging off a divisive fight later this week.
“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!!!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Dec. 30.
The endorsement gives a major lift to the speaker, who will face a vote in the lower chamber on Jan. 3.
Though there’s still some uncertainty about the outcome, Trump’s support offers Johnson significant protection from potential GOP challenges to his speakership.
Following the collapse of a government funding package that Johnson negotiated behind the scenes and which left many Republicans, including Trump, unhappy, there were open discussions about Johnson’s fate.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already said he won’t vote for Johnson. Republicans will have around 219 votes on the first day of the new Congress, just one more than the 218-vote majority threshold in a full House.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has openly clashed with Johnson, while lawmakers in the conservative House Freedom Caucus such as Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Scott Perry (R-Pa.) have suggested some reservations.
Trump’s silence had added to speculation that Johnson may be on his way out.
Now, however, Trump has indicated that he wants to avoid a protracted fight like the one that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) endured at the start of the 118th Congress. It took 15 ballots for him to be narrowly elected speaker.
Trump suggested that avoiding such an opening to the incoming 119th Congress would allow Republicans to begin immediately implementing the sweeping legislative reforms he has championed.
“Let’s not blow this great opportunity which we have been given,” Trump wrote in all caps.
“The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration.”
Johnson accepted the boost.
“Thank you, President Trump! I’m honored and humbled by your support, as always,” Johnson said in a post on X. “Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America.”
If Johnson faces no significant challenge, he’s expected to be reelected speaker during the first sitting of the 119th Congress on Friday.
Johnson or someone else will need to be named speaker before Congress can certify Trump’s election on Jan. 6, 2025.
From The Epoch Times