WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his support behind House Speaker Mike Johnson as he prepares to solidify his leadership among Congressional Republicans.
On his social media platform, Trump shared a post on Monday lauding Johnson as a “dedicated and faith-driven individual” from Louisiana, expressing his belief that “he will make the right decisions, and we will continue to WIN.”
“Mike has my Full and Total Endorsement,” Trump declared decisively.
However, Johnson’s leadership faced challenges following a heated debate over federal funding that nearly resulted in a government shutdown just before the Christmas holiday. Although a resolution was eventually found, the situation exposed the limitations of Johnson’s authority and highlighted divisions within the Republican Party.
Johnson’s original funding proposals were met with difficulties, prompting Trump, who will assume office on January 20, to step in and advocate for Congress to either suspend or raise the debt ceiling.
Read More: How a Government Shutdown Could Impact Americans
To strengthen his position, Johnson has been actively working to align himself with Trump, assuring the president-elect of his commitment to raise the debt ceiling by 2025.
Despite some Republican members hinting at their reluctance to support Johnson for the position, Trump had previously withheld comments on Johnson’s leadership prospects ahead of the January 3 vote.
Representative Victoria Spartz, a Republican who had previously opposed Kevin McCarthy’s initial bid for speaker, remarked on Monday that “our next speaker must show bold leadership to guide our country back on track.”
The Indiana representative laid out a set of expectations for the future GOP leader, stressing the necessity for substantial spending reforms. Additionally, Representative Andy Harris, chair of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, suggested that Johnson’s leadership might be vulnerable as the holidays approach.
In a post on X on December 20, Harris expressed concern that Republicans have not adequately tackled “spending, deficits, and inflation” since Trump’s victory in November.
Consequently, he voiced, “I am now unclear about what House leadership ought to look like in the 119th Congress.”
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This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in Washington.
