House Speaker Mike Johnson is spending New Year’s Day with President-elect Donald Trump ahead of a crucial vote later this week to retain his leadership position.
Johnson told News Radio 710 KEEL in Louisiana that he planned to spend the day Wednesday with Trump at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago.
“We’re going to map out some strategy, and he wanted to take photos and make a big endorsement on that day,” Johnson told the station in a story published on Tuesday. “I called him yesterday and said, ‘Mr. President, let’s go ahead and do that,’, so he did.”
HeadlinesForever has contacted Johnson’s office for comment.
Trump supported Johnson on Monday, urging Republicans to unite and “not blow” the opportunity created by preserving House control and securing a Senate majority in the November elections.
Johnson, who enraged some in his own party during last month’s parliamentary battle to finance the government and avoid a shutdown, may be able to lose only one member’s support during Friday’s vote — depending on attendance.
While Trump’s endorsement was a success for Johnson, several conservative Republicans remain unconvinced that he can be returned as speaker. Even with Trump’s endorsement, one of Johnson’s opponents, Kentucky GOP Rep. Thomas Massie, has reiterated that he does not intend to vote for him.
Trump told HeadlinesForever White House Correspondent MaryAlice Parks on Tuesday night that he believes Republicans will support Johnson, calling him “the one who can win right now.”
Nonetheless, Trump said that dozens of lawmakers do not “like” Johnson, who was appointed to the top role last year after Republican infighting resulted in the historic expulsion of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
“I think we’re going to have a great time in Washington, and I think we’ll get a lot of support, and he’s the one who can win right now.” People like him. Almost everyone likes him. Others are also extremely good, but they have 30 or 40 people who dislike him, which is difficult,” Trump added.
When asked if he is phoning other members of Congress in favor of Johnson, Trump indicated he will if necessary.
“If necessary, but I believe we will have a terrific time. We are going to have a successful vote. He is a good dude. “He’s a wonderful person, which is exactly what you need,” the president-elect remarked.
According to HeadlinesForever, around 15 House Republicans are undecided about voting for Johnson.
No one has come forward to publicly challenge Johnson as speaker. Indiana Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz, on the other hand, told Fox News on Monday that several of her colleagues are interested in becoming speaker, though she did not name them.
“I hope we have it [a speaker] before January 6th,” Spartz mentioned. On January 6, Congress will certify the 2024 election results.
House Republican leadership released an op-ed on Fox News on Wednesday, pleading for their conference to work together to deliver on Trump’s campaign pledges, despite the challenges of their tiny House majority.
“The American people cannot afford to wait for help when their lives and livelihoods are at risk. As the Republican leadership in Congress, we have prepared an aggressive plan to remove any roadblocks and clear the way for President Trump’s reforms and policy agenda,” wrote Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Republican Conference Chairwoman-elect Lisa McClain.
They continued: “To implement that vision, we must remain united.”