Open the White House Watch newsletter for free
Your guide to what the 2024 US elections mean for Washington and the world
Mike Johnson faces a tough vote to retain his job as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, as top Republicans try to avoid a chaotic start to Donald Trump's second era in Washington.
Congress Lower room It will open for business at noon on Friday, and its first task will be to elect a new president.
Although JohnsonThe Louisiana state lawmaker who replaced Kevin McCarthy after his ouster in October 2023 remains favored and supported by Donald Trump, and Republicans have only a 219-215 majority, meaning he would need near-unanimous support to be re-elected.
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie has pledged to oppose Johnson's re-election, so another defection from the Republican ranks could jeopardize his position, assuming all Democrats vote against him as well.
“Good luck today to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a good man with great abilities, who is very close to getting 100% support,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Friday.
“A win for Mike today would be a huge win for the Republican Party.”
The vote is crucial in the short term because the House of Representatives will need a speaker to certify Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election on Monday, paving the way for his inauguration on January 20.
In the long run, Johnson's trouble retaining the speakership could be a bad sign for Trump's ability to get his agenda through the House, because it would show that some Republicans are willing to go against his wishes and challenge party discipline.
If Johnson is not elected in the first ballot on Friday, the process could drag on for several rounds, as happened in early 2023 when McCarthy was chosen Speaker of Parliament after 15 votes and dramatic negotiations with holdouts within his own party.
On Thursday, Johnson met with a group of Republicans who said they had not yet decided whether to support him as Speaker of the House — and expressed confidence that he would win them over. “I think tomorrow will be fine,” he added.
No other Republican besides Massie has said they will vote against him. But dozens of ordinary Conservatives were furious before the Christmas holidays when Johnson proposed a snap election Government financing deal Which requires a compromise with Democrats to ensure its passage.
However, Johnson has remained very close to Trump and his inner circle in recent weeks, coordinating plans to move his top priorities through Congress quickly, which will make it difficult for any Republican to join Massie and obstruct Johnson.
No other candidate has emerged as a potential rival to Johnson for Speaker, but Republican discontent is concentrated within the House Freedom Caucus, which includes the most ardent hardline conservatives. Even if Johnson survives the Speaker's vote, members of the House Freedom Caucus are expected to remain a thorn in his side as he tries to pass Trump-backed legislation.
