Trump endorses Mike Johnson for speaker, boosting candidacy days earlier than election

Washington — President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Home Speaker Mike Johnson’s bid to stay speaker, days earlier than the Home will return and vote for a brand new chief. 

The Home is about to vote on a speaker when the brand new Congress convenes on Friday, with the decrease chamber unable start the enterprise of a brand new legislative session with out a speaker in place. 

“The American individuals want IMMEDIATE aid from all the harmful insurance policies of the final Administration,” Trump wrote on his Fact Social platform Monday morning. “Speaker Mike Johnson is an effective, arduous working, spiritual man. He’ll do the suitable factor, and we’ll proceed to WIN. Mike has my Full & Whole Endorsement. MAGA!!!”

In response, Johnson stated he’s “honored and humbled” by Trump’s assist. 

“Collectively, we’ll rapidly ship in your America First agenda and usher within the new golden age of America,” Johnson wrote on X. “The American individuals demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!”

Johnson’s speakership appeared in jeopardy after some Republicans expressed frustration along with his resolution to attain a authorities funding settlement with overwhelming Democratic assist to maintain the federal government open forward of the Christmas vacation. The persevering with decision didn’t embody an extension or elimination of the debt ceiling, a requirement that Trump made earlier in negotiations. 

The GOP will solely have a slim majority within the 119th Congress, making electing a speaker troublesome with out close to complete unity. The bulk is about to change into even smaller as a number of Republican members of Congress are set to be nominated for positions within the Trump administration. 

Johnson has been the speaker since October 2023, after a handful of Home Republicans revolted in opposition to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, inserting the decrease chamber in chaos. 

McCarthy’s personal bid to change into speaker in 2023 with a slim majority was drawn out over a number of days and took 15 ballots — extra rounds of voting than every other time since earlier than the Civil Struggle.