WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump publicly endorsed House Speaker Mike Johnson, offering essential support as the Louisiana Republican gears up for another potentially contentious election for the speakership later this week.
In a statement posted on his social media platform, Trump praised Johnson as a “good, hard working, religious man” who he believes “will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN.” Trump emphasized that Johnson has his “Complete & Total Endorsement.”
In response, Johnson expressed gratitude for Trump’s endorsement, stating, “The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!” This endorsement arrives despite Trump’s dissatisfaction with Johnson’s recent handling of a spending agreement passed in the House shortly before Christmas, which ultimately did not meet Trump’s primary objective of raising the debt ceiling.
Further complicating matters, some Republicans have expressed their displeasure regarding the spending deal, threatening Johnson’s position as the leader of the incoming GOP majority. While a spending deal was reached to prevent a government shutdown during the holiday season, Johnson’s dependence on Democratic support to keep the government funded has pointed to the vulnerabilities in his authority and has exposed fractures within his party.
Johnson’s initial two funding proposals fell short, prompting Trump, who will not be sworn in until Jan. 20, to intervene by requesting that the government debt ceiling be either suspended or lifted.
Over recent months, Johnson has worked diligently to maintain a close relationship with Trump, assuring the president-elect that he would align with his goals of raising the debt ceiling by 2025.
As anticipation built for the January 3 leadership vote, Trump had remained silent regarding his stance on Johnson, despite signs indicating a lack of support from some Republican members for his continuation in the role. Representative Victoria Spartz, a Republican dissenting against Kevin McCarthy’s initial speakership attempt, conveyed on Monday that “our next speaker must show courageous leadership to get our country back on track.”
Spartz articulated her expectations for the upcoming leader of the GOP majority, highlighting the necessity for substantial spending reform. Additionally, Representative Andy Harris, chair of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, signaled uncertainty about Johnson’s future before the holiday break. In a post made on December 20, Harris remarked that Republicans have yet to adequately address “spending, deficits and inflation” since Trump’s electoral win in November, leading him to claim, “I am now undecided on what House leadership should look like in the 119th Congress.”
