Trump Says Johnson Will Secure Votes Needed to Remain House Speaker

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press at the Capitol, on Dec. 17, 2024. Allison Robbert/AFP

President-elect Donald Trump said on Dec. 31 that he believes House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will secure a second term in the job despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers ahead of another contentious speakership race.

Trump made the comments while speaking to reporters outside of a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote to elect a new speaker on Jan. 3, the first day of the 119th congressional session.

Asked what his message is to Republican lawmakers who do not support Johnson in his re-election effort, Trump praised the Louisiana Republican, describing him as a “good man” and “a wonderful person.”

The incoming president said he believes Johnson will ultimately garner enough support from lawmakers during this week’s vote.

“We are going to have a great time in Washington, I think we are going to get great support,” Trump said.

Asked if he would consider making calls to lawmakers to drum up support for Johnson, Trump told reporters that he would “if necessary.”

“He’s the one that can win right now, people like him, almost everybody likes him,” Trump said.

Trump’s comments come shortly after he fully endorsed Johnson to continue in his role.

In a post on Truth Social on Dec. 30, Trump described Johnson as a “good, hard-working, religious man,” who will “do the right thing.”

“Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!” Trump wrote.

Johnson thanked Trump for the endorsement in a Dec. 30 statement on X, adding that he was “honored and humbled” by his support.

“Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America,” Johnson wrote. “The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!”

Due to the slim majority Republicans hold in the House, Johnson can only afford a handful of GOP defections if he is to remain in the role, which he has held since October 2023.

Some GOP Lawmakers Oppose Johnson’s Re-election

Johnson faces opposition from within his party amid concerns over his handling of an array of issues, including an end-of-year funding package he reached with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown and financial assistance for Ukraine.

Some Republicans, such as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), have said they will not vote for Johnson.

In a Dec. 31 statement on X, Massie also said that while he respects and supports Trump, his endorsement of Johnson “is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan.”

Massie added, “We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget.”

In a follow-up post, the Kentucky lawmaker said Johnson “gave the Democrats the billions of dollars they wanted for Ukraine.”

(L) Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks as (C) Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and (R) Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) listen during a news conference at the Capitol, on Nov. 17, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has also clashed with Johnson, having attempted, unsuccessfully, to remove him from his role in May over his support for a $1.2 trillion minibus spending bill, and his passage of a $95 billion foreign aid package without border provisions.

Greene has not publicly commented on whether or not she will vote to re-elect him.

Some lawmakers in the conservative House Freedom Caucus such as Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Scott Perry (R-Pa.) have also indicated that Johnson’s future as speaker is not guaranteed, while Chip Roy (R-Texas) told Fox Business’s Varney & Co on Dec. 31 that he was undecided in his support.

Other members of the GOP like Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) are hoping Johnson will retain the gavel.

The Epoch Times reached out to Johnson for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.

Joseph Lord and The Associated Press contributed to this report.