Donald Trump ally Mike Johnson is re-elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives
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Mike Johnson was re-elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives on Friday after he reached a backroom deal with Republican rebels to win a narrow victory in the House.
Johnson’s victory in the first ballot was a victory for Donald Trumpwho strongly endorsed the Louisiana lawmaker for the top position in the lower house of Congress.
The vote ended with 218 votes in favor Johnson215 for Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, and one vote for another candidate.
The US legislature opens for business at noon, with a new Republican majority in the Senate taking office and the first task in the House of Representatives being to elect a new Speaker for the slimmer Republican majority. .
Johnson, who replaced Kevin McCarthy after he was ousted in October 2023, needs near-unanimous support to win re-election, as Republicans control 219 seats compared to 215 held by Democrats .
Thomas Massie, a Kentucky lawmaker, opposed Johnson’s reelection, supporting Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican. Initially, Ralph Norman, a Republican from South Carolina, supported Jim Jordan of Ohio, and Keith Self of Texas supported Byron Donalds of Florida, but both changed their votes to Johnson after speaking with him. We’re in a room right next to the House floor.
Before the vote, Trump publicly called on Republicans to support Johnson. The vote is important in the short term because the House will need the Speaker to certify Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election on Monday, paving the way for his inauguration on January 20. .
“Good luck today to Speaker Mike Johnson, a good man with great qualifications, who is very close to achieving 100% support,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Friday before the vote. votes.
“Mike’s victory today would be a huge win for the Republican Party.”
In the long run, Johnson’s narrow majority could be a bad sign for Trump’s ability to pass his agenda through the House, because it would indicate some Republicans are willing to go against his wishes and in defiance of party discipline.
Johnson faced some opposition to his speakership after dozens of rank-and-file conservatives were angered ahead of the Christmas holiday when he proposed a plan government funding agreement that requires compromise with Democrats to ensure its passage.
Still, Johnson has remained close to Trump and his inner circle in recent weeks, coordinating plans to quickly pass his top priorities through Congress and counting on the president’s support. elected to overcome resistance.
No other candidate has emerged as a viable challenger to Johnson for president, but Republican discontent is concentrated in the House Freedom Caucus, which includes conservatives the toughest. Members of the House Freedom Caucus are expected to remain a thorn in his side as he tries to pass Trump-backed legislation.
