Trump endorses Mike Johnson for speaker, boosting candidacy days before election

Days before the House reconvenes to elect a new leader, President-elect Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Mike Johnson’s bid to continue as speaker.

When the new Congress meets on Friday, the House will have to vote on a speaker because the lower house cannot start a new legislative session without a speaker.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Monday morning, saying, “The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration.” “Mike Johnson, the speaker, is a decent, diligent, and devout man. He will act morally, and we will keep winning. I wholeheartedly and completely endorse Mike. “MAGA!!!”

Johnson replied that Trump’s backing has “honored and humbled” him.

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

Johnson’s speakership appeared in jeopardy after some Republicans expressed frustration with his decision to reach a government funding agreement with overwhelming Democratic support to keep the government open ahead of the Christmas holiday. The continuing resolution did not include an extension or elimination of the debt ceiling, a demand that Trump made earlier in negotiations.

The GOP will only have a slim majority in the 119th Congress, making electing a speaker difficult without near total unity. The majority is set to become even smaller as several Republican members of Congress are set to be nominated for positions in the Trump administration.

Johnson has been the speaker since October 2023, after a handful of House Republicans revolted against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, placing the lower chamber in chaos.

McCarthy’s own bid to become speaker in 2023 with a slim majority was drawn out over several days and took 15 ballots — more rounds of voting than any other time since before the Civil War