Trump Endorses House Speaker Mike Johnson Amid Congressional Leadership Battle

Last updated Dec 30, 2024

TL/DR –

President-elect Donald Trump has publicly endorsed House Speaker Mike Johnson on social media, in spite of recent criticism around Johnson’s leadership capabilities. This follows Johnson’s struggle to secure federal funding, which risked a government shutdown and revealed his limited influence within the party. Despite some Republicans indicating they might not back Johnson for his role, Trump has assured his endorsement, commending Johnson as a “good, hardworking, religious man” who will continue to lead Republicans to victory.

Trump Endorses House Speaker Mike Johnson Amid Leadership Struggles

In WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., President-elect Donald Trump has shown his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, a key figure in the Republican congress leadership. As Johnson gears up to retain his congressional position, Trump describes him as a “good, hard-working, religious man” poised to continue leading the GOP to victories.

Despite recent challenges to Johnson’s leadership relating to a federal funding plan dispute that threatened a pre-Christmas government shutdown, Trump insisted on his complete backing for the Louisiana Republican. This dispute hinted at the limits of Johnson’s influence and revealed divisions within the party.

With Trump’s inauguration still to come on Jan. 20, Johnson’s initial funding strategies failed. However, Johnson has managed to maintain a strong relationship with Trump, persuading the president-elect to meet his debt limit increase demands by 2025.

Trump’s silence on Johnson’s future broke after more than a week, as some GOP members showed signs of potentially not supporting Johnson’s leadership bid. Rep. Victoria Spartz, who previously opposed Kevin McCarthy’s speakership bid, stressed the need for a bold leader to get the country back on track. She called for significant spending reform from the next GOP majority leader.

Credit to Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in Washington for contributing to this report.

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