Speaker-Designate Mike Johnson Re-Elected House Leader
Speaker-designate Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives on Friday, winning in a vote that was divided along party lines. This marks a stark contrast to his predecessor’s 15-round battle in 2023.
Johnson won the support of President-elect Donald Trump, who emphasized his support for the GOP leader hours before the midday vote. Trump wrote on his Truth Social app, “Good luck today for Speaker Mike Johnson, a fine man of great ability, who is very close to having 100% support. A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129-year most consequential Presidential Election!!”
Despite saber-rattling by some conservatives who threatened to withhold support from Johnson in protest of his handling of government funding and several other issues in the 118th Congress, Johnson emerged victorious. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was part of an unsuccessful push to oust Johnson last year, was the speaker-designate’s most vocal critic, stating, “I am not voting for Mike Johnson tomorrow, and you can take that to the bank.”
Johnson’s allies warned that a prolonged House Speaker fight could delay Congress’ joint session to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, slated for January 6. Johnson’s victory marks the start of his first full term as speaker, following his win in October 2023 after three weeks of closed-door talks following the ouster of ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
