Mike Johnson’s grasp on speaker’s gavel for second Trump term grows stronger – Washington Examiner
In a developing political landscape, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appears to be solidifying his position for a potential second term, as opposition from hard-line conservatives seems to be diminishing. Notably, Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY), who have previously been critical of Johnson and even pushed for his removal, have expressed their support for him considering the upcoming leadership elections. greene remarked that she would support Johnson for speaker, acknowledging that he has the support needed to advance his agenda.This shift in attitude suggests a growing acceptance of Johnson’s leadership among some previous detractors, which could strengthen his hold on the speaker’s gavel moving forward.
Mike Johnson’s grasp on speaker’s gavel for second Trump term grows stronger
Hard-line conservative opposition to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is weakening, clearing his path to keeping the lower chamber’s most powerful position.
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) have signaled they may vote for Johnson to remain the speaker ahead of the lower chamber’s leadership elections next month.
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The two lawmakers have been harsh critics of Johnson in the past, even leading efforts to remove him from the speaker’s position. However, their rhetoric this week marks a softening toward Johnson.
“I will be supporting him for speaker, of course,” Greene said during an interview with Politico. “He’s got everyone coming around him for him to be able to pass the agenda that I’m sure he wished he could have passed this Congress.”
She had previously slammed Johnson for not leading House Republicans to a stronger majority following the 2024 elections. Although the GOP successfully held its majority in the lower chamber, Greene blamed the speaker for not helping deliver a “super majority” earlier this month. Often criticizing Johnson for endorsing large federal spending packages passed annually by Congress, Greene led an unsuccessful campaign, which was joined by Massie, to remove him from the position in May.
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Massie, who is a member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservatives who often oppose establishment Republicans, also appears to be warming up to Johnson.
“We’ve been talking,” Massie told the Hill after he was pressed on whether he still opposed Johnson. “We talked last week.”
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Compared to his pledge in October not to ever vote for Johnson as speaker “come hell or high water,” Massie’s words indicate a marked turn in his favor.
His now-tentative stance follows President-elect Donald Trump’s move to endorse Johnson to remain the speaker, which likely pushed hardliners such as Massie and Greene to reconsider their opposition.
When asked if he would endorse Johnson in September, Massie said, “I think it would take Trump’s endorsement to do that.”
Johnson already unanimously won the GOP’s nomination to remain the speaker on Nov. 13. The speaker election is on Jan. 3, giving him roughly a month to nail down tentative votes such as Massie.
With a slim House majority, Johnson cannot afford to lose the support of more than one Republican if he wishes to keep his position.
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