Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to secure his role on the first ballot Friday, with critical help from President-elect Donald Trump, who personally lobbied members to solidify Johnson’s support. However, the aftermath of his victory highlights a tenuous alliance within the GOP.
Conservatives Warn of High Expectations
Hardline conservatives have made it clear that their support for Johnson is contingent on his adherence to their priorities, leaving the door open for a potential motion to vacate if he falls short. While the new rules require nine members to trigger such a vote—an increase from just one during Kevin McCarthy’s tenure—the mechanism remains a pressure point.
Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) noted the motion’s importance as a check on leadership, adding, “I really hope it never has to be used again. But we’ll see.”
Trump’s Influence and GOP Unity
Johnson’s allies are banking on Trump’s backing to maintain party cohesion. Trump’s willingness to actively lobby members, including those hesitant about Johnson, offers a glimpse of his continued influence over the party. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) bluntly stated, “I just hope President Trump pounds them into submission.”
Still, Johnson faces significant challenges in maintaining unity, especially with a razor-thin margin that allows him to lose only one GOP vote on partisan legislation.
Freedom Caucus Sets Conditions
Members of the Freedom Caucus wasted no time in outlining their expectations. In a letter circulated just after Johnson’s victory, the group demanded legislation aimed at reducing inflation, banning stock trading by lawmakers, and other conservative priorities.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), a signatory, framed the motion to vacate as a matter of accountability: “Mike has laid out a plan and a vision, and now he’s got to execute it.”
Parallels to McCarthy’s Downfall
The early warnings bear striking similarities to the downfall of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted after only 10 months. Though Johnson has a stronger rapport with hardliners, maintaining their support will require delivering on red-line issues like spending and border security.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) hinted at potential consequences for failure: “There will be things that are, in fact, red lines that we need to deliver.”
Building Trust and Avoiding Chaos
Johnson has made strides in mending relations with the party’s right flank, focusing on GOP messaging bills and granting key committee roles to former critics. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) expressed cautious optimism: “This is not what it was after Speaker McCarthy was vacated. That situation has built lines of communication because we don’t want to go through that again.”
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