Trump Backs Mike Johnson for House Speaker Position

President-elect Donald Trump has provided a strong endorsement for the troubled House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), potentially averting a contentious dispute later this week.

“Speaker Mike Johnson is a dedicated, hard-working, and deeply religious man,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Dec. 30. “He will make the right decisions, and we will keep winning. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!”

This endorsement comes as a crucial boost for the Speaker, who is set to face a vote in the House on Jan. 3, 2025.

Despite some lingering uncertainties regarding the vote’s outcome, Trump’s backing offers Johnson considerable safeguarding against potential challenges from within the GOP regarding his leadership.

After the failure of a government funding deal that Johnson had worked on behind closed doors, which left many Republicans dissatisfied, including Trump, discussions about his future became more pronounced.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already expressed that he won’t support Johnson, raising concerns about Johnson’s approach to economic matters and government finance. The Republicans will hold approximately 219 votes on the inaugural day of the new Congress, just shy of the 218-vote majority needed in a full House.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has had notable disagreements with Johnson, while some members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, such as Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Scott Perry (R-Pa.), have voiced reservations.

Conversely, other Republicans have shown more overt support for Johnson.

In a Dec. 29 appearance on “This Week,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) described any attempt to unseat Johnson as “foolish.”

“Mike Johnson inherited a mess when Matt Gaetz and some of my colleagues collaborated with 208 Democrats to oust Kevin McCarthy, which stands as the single most foolish act I’ve ever witnessed in politics,” Lawler remarked, referring to the October 2023 vote that resulted in the removal of then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his position.

“Removing Mike Johnson would be equally foolish.”

Assuming former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) does not make a brief return at the beginning of the 119th Congress—which he has hinted could be a possibility—Johnson will only be able to lose one vote. That means he can absorb Massie’s dissent but cannot afford any additional opposition.

Democrats have already conveyed that they would not support Johnson, instead backing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s (D-N.Y.) candidacy for the speakership.

Trump’s previous silence had fueled speculation regarding Johnson’s security in his position.

However, Trump has now signaled that he wishes to avoid a prolonged struggle similar to that which McCarthy confronted at the onset of the 118th Congress. It required 15 ballots for him to secure the speakership narrowly.

Trump emphasized the importance of not wasting the great opportunity presented at the outset of the incoming 119th Congress, allowing Republicans to begin implementing the extensive legislative reforms he has advocated for.

“Let’s not squander this remarkable opportunity which we have been given,” Trump posited, emphasizing his point in all caps.

“The American people require IMMEDIATE relief from all the detrimental policies of the previous administration.”

Johnson acknowledged the support on X.

“Thank you, President Trump! I’m honored and humbled by your backing, as always,” Johnson expressed. “Together, we will swiftly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in a new golden age for America.”

If Johnson encounters no substantial opposition, he is expected to be re-elected as Speaker during the first session of the 119th Congress on Friday.

Nonetheless, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) still harbors concerns about Johnson’s position and suggested that Trump should reach out to potential dissenters.

“I strongly urge Donald Trump to contact those five or six members who have not committed to voting for Mike Johnson because all this will do is cause delays,” Comer stated during a Dec. 29 appearance on Fox Business’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”

Johnson or another candidate must be elected Speaker before Congress can certify Trump’s election on Jan. 6, 2025.