WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump has publicly backed House Speaker Mike Johnson as he gears up to maintain his leadership role among Republicans in Congress.
In a post shared on his social media platform on Monday, Trump praised Johnson as a “hardworking, religious man” from Louisiana, expressing confidence that “he will do the right thing, and we will keep WINNING.”
“Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement,” Trump stated emphatically.
Johnson’s position appeared to be in jeopardy following a contentious debate over a federal funding strategy that nearly led to a government shutdown just before Christmas. While a resolution was eventually reached, the conflict highlighted the limitations of Johnson’s influence and revealed fractures within his party’s support.
The speaker’s initial funding proposals faltered as Trump, who takes office on January 20, intervened, urging Congress to either suspend or raise the debt ceiling.
Read More: How a Government Shutdown Could Affect Americans
In a bid to secure his position, Johnson has worked diligently to align himself with Trump, assuring the president-elect that he would comply with demands to raise the debt ceiling by 2025.
Trump had refrained from commenting on Johnson’s leadership prospects prior to the January 3 vote, despite some Republican members indicating they might not back Johnson for the role.
Representative Victoria Spartz, a Republican who previously opposed Kevin McCarthy’s initial speakership bid, stated on Monday that “our next speaker needs to demonstrate courageous leadership to steer our country back on course.”
The Indiana representative proceeded to outline a series of expectations for the forthcoming GOP leader, emphasizing the need for significant spending reforms. Meanwhile, Representative Andy Harris, chair of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, also suggested that Johnson’s leadership may not be secure ahead of the holidays.
In a post on X dated December 20, Harris remarked that Republicans have failed to sufficiently address “spending, deficits, and inflation” since Trump’s electoral win in November.
As a result, Harris expressed, “I am now uncertain about what House leadership should look like in the 119th Congress.”
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This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in Washington.
