Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was re-elected to another term in the House after two Republican dissenters flipped last minute in a floor vote on Friday — with President-elect Donald Trump personally intervening to shut down the opposition.
Johnson, 52, was staring down a razor-thin Republican majority in the House, with 219 members of his own party seated for the start of the session and 215 Democrats, meaning he could only afford to lose one vote and still win the speaker’s gavel with a 218-vote majority.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has been a thorn in Johnson’s side almost since the Louisiana Republican ascended to the position in October 2023, had also declared before the noon vote kicked off that he wouldn’t be casting his ballot for the incumbent speaker under any circumstances.
That gave the incoming speaker no margin for error, with 434 members present and every Democrat preparing to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
In the first round of voting, Massie wasted no time casting his ballot for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
He was followed by other rebels, including Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), who supported Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for the speakership, and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), who wanted Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), effectively dooming Johnson’s bid.
Some Republicans immediately went to contact members of President-elect Donald Trump’s team as the vote was appearing to head to a second round.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was photographed talking on the phone with Trump’s chief-of-staff Susie Wiles from the House floor.
Trump, 78, also spoke to Norman and Self on speakerphone after being brought in by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), according to Fox News.
The incoming president said it would be “disrespectful” to voters to have the speaker vote go into a second or third ballot, adding that it would also be “disrespectful to me.”
“Fellas, we have a lot to do. Let’s get to it,” Trump told the members, per Fox News.
When the disgruntled duo returned to the floor, both flipped their votes in favor of Johnson, bringing him over the majority threshold with a final vote count of 218.
The president-elect has been keen on confirming his nominees quickly in the Senate and getting a package of border security changes implemented on Day One.
Fiscal hawks in the Republican conference had accused Johnson of mismanaging his speakership role during the 118th Congress and getting bent over a barrel by Democrats in funding negotiations — including the recent spending bill passed last month that’s keeping the government’s lights on until March.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who did not vote against Johnson, released a letter after the speaker vote outlining the grievances he and other Republicans had.
Though many had refrained from following through in a full-blown mutiny against Johnson, Roy said they still expected changes to be implemented — such as modifying the House calendar to have more working days, reconciliation packages reducing spending and the deficit, allow members to make amendments on bills and get rid of the “72-hour” rule.
Johnson told Politico after the vote that he had made no concessions in his backroom discussions with Self and Norman before winning the gavel.
The Texas Republican also wrote that he hopes Johnson will hold true to Trump’s agenda by helping to secure the southern border, cut inflationary spending, end stock trading for members of Congress, reverse President Biden’s Green New Deal subsidies and student loan handouts — and more.
All 215 Democrats backed Jeffries in the vote — with even former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi flying out from California the day before despite still recovering from a broken hip.
Jeffries commented on the Republican unrest during the first round of votes, writing on X, “The GOP Civil War is in full swing. And it’s only Day 1.”
Trump made clear days before that he wanted Republicans to vote for Johnson, sending out several Truth Social posts endorsing him.
He was the first to celebrate after Johnson won the speakership vote.
“Congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson for receiving an unprecedented Vote of Confidence in Congress. Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary,” the incoming president cheered on Truth Social.
“The People of America have waited four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They’ll get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!”
