House Speaker Mike Johnson is reportedly not on good terms with President-elect Donald Trump. Johnson will require Trump’s backing to retain the Speaker’s gavel on January 3, when House Republicans decide whether to renew or revoke his speakership. Tensions arose last week when Johnson attempted to pass a large continuing resolution that included excessive spending and adhered to Democrat-increased spending levels. Trump intervened, derailing the measure and insisting on a smaller bill with a debt ceiling extension. In response, Johnson passed a bill that omitted a debt ceiling extension and only funded the government through March 14.
According to POLITICO‘s Rachel Bade: “Amid the chaos in Washington, I was in Palm Beach talking to people close to the past and future president and called up other confidants afterward. This much became clear to me: Not only is Trump unhappy with the funding deal, he’s unhappy with Johnson, too. He’s unhappy that he didn’t get the debt ceiling hike he made clear he wanted.
“He felt blindsided by the initial deal Johnson struck with Democrats. And, in the end, he was unimpressed with the entire chaotic process, which left the incoming administration questioning whether Johnson is capable of managing an even thinner majority next year. And, as of this weekend, it’s an open question at Mar-a-Lago about whether Trump will lift a finger to help him. Trump is sitting back and watching the coverage, I’m told, mulling whether it’s worth it to defenestrate another speaker.”
“I don’t see how Johnson survives,” a Trump insider told Politico about the Speaker’s precarious position. Johnson’s best path to retaining the gavel may require support from House Democrats, Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) suggested to reporters on Friday. The Speaker, a Louisiana Republican, can afford to lose only one Republican vote without securing any Democratic support. However, a senior House GOP staffer told Breitbart News’s Matt Boyle that as many as 25 House Republicans could vote against Johnson for Speaker.
If Democrats, along with a group of establishment Republicans, enable Johnson to remain Speaker, it could result in a power-sharing arrangement with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Such an agreement would likely require Johnson to make concessions to Jeffries in exchange for Democratic votes. This scenario poses a significant challenge for Johnson, as a power-sharing deal with Democrats would be unappealing to President-elect Donald Trump, who won a decisive mandate to advance his agenda. According to Romney, Johnson’s position is precarious: he must either secure Democratic votes to keep his role—potentially alienating Trump and the Republican base—or decline to seek re-election as Speaker.
But that said, allies of Johnson are urging the president-elect to publicly reaffirm support for the House GOP leader to avoid a messy, protracted battle that could delay the certification of his own victory, according to Fox News. “If we have some kind of protracted fight where we can’t elect a speaker — the speaker’s not elected; we’re not sworn in. And if we’re not sworn in, we can’t certify the election,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told the outlet. “I would hope that President Trump would chime in and talk to those who are maybe a little hesitant, and say, ‘We’ve got to get going. We don’t have time.’”
Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, told added that “it would be immensely helpful” if Trump chimed in. “Any time would be great, but right after Christmas if President Trump said, ‘You know, listen’ — it would even be really cool if somehow Mike Johnson ended up at Mar-a-Lago for Christmas… wherever the president is,” Fallon said. “I think it would be incredibly powerful.”
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.