Donald Trump ally Mike Johnson re-elected speaker of U.S. House of Representatives
Unlock the White House Watch newsletter for free
A guide to what the 2024 US election means for Washington and the world
Mike Johnson was re-elected as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday after striking a behind-the-scenes deal with Republican insurgents to secure a narrow victory in the chamber.
Johnson’s first-ballot victory was a victory for Donald Trump, who has strongly endorsed the Louisiana congressman for the top job in Congress’ lower house.
The vote ended with 218 votes for Johnson, 215 for House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and 1 vote for another candidate.
The U.S. Legislature opens at noon, with the new Republican majority in the Senate taking office and the House of Representatives’ first priority being to elect a new speaker for the narrow Republican-majority seats.
Johnson, who succeeds Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, will need near-unanimous support to be re-elected, given that Republicans control 219 seats and Democrats control 215.
Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie opposed Johnson’s re-election and supported Minnesota Republican Tom Emmer. Initially, Republicans Ralph Norman of South Carolina endorsed Jim Jordan of Ohio and Keith Self of Texas endorsed Byron Donald of Florida, but after speaking with Johnson in a room near the House floor, they both The vote went to Johnson.
Before the vote, Trump publicly called on Republicans to support Johnson. The vote is critical in the short term as the House needs to appoint a speaker to certify Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election on Monday, paving the way for his January 20 inauguration.
“Good luck today to Speaker Mike Johnson, a talented and good man who is very close to receiving 100 percent support,” Trump posted on his Truth social platform ahead of Friday’s vote.
“A victory for Mike today would be a major victory for the Republican Party.”
Johnson’s slim majority could bode badly for Trump’s ability to pass his agenda in the House in the long term, because it would show that some Republicans are willing to go against his wishes and flout party discipline.
Johnson faced some opposition to his position as speaker after angering dozens of rank-and-file conservatives before the Christmas holidays by proposing a government funding deal that would require compromise with Democrats to secure passage.
However, Johnson has maintained a very close relationship with Trump and his inner circle in recent weeks, coordinating plans to quickly pass his top priorities through Congress and relying on the president-elect’s support to overcome resistance.
No other candidates have emerged as potential rivals for Johnson’s speakership, but Republican dissatisfaction is concentrated within the House Freedom Caucus, which includes the most enthusiastic hardline conservatives. Members of the House Freedom Caucus are expected to remain a thorn in his side as he tries to pass Trump-backed legislation.
