Republican Mike Johnson secured a narrow victory as House Speaker on the first ballot, overcoming resistance from hardline GOP members. The tense standoff highlighted the divisions within the Republican party despite unified control of Washington with President-elect Donald Trump's return. Johnson ultimately secured the gavel with the support of two key holdouts who switched their votes, aided by Trump's intervention. The close vote signals challenges ahead for Johnson and Trump's agenda.
House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., closes with the gavel after he and members of the House took the oath of office as the House of Representatives meets to elect a speaker and convene the new 119th Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
Johnson’s weak grip on the gavel has threatened not only his own survival but Trump’s ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as Republicans sweep to power in the House and the Senate. The stark vote tally laid bare the challenges he faces. Even backing from Trump himself, usually a surer bet for Republicans, was no guarantee of Johnson’s ability to stay in the speaker’s office.
With opposition from his own GOP colleagues, Johnson arrived at the Capitol with outward confidence after working into the night to sway dissenters. A flop by Johnson could have thrown Monday’s congressional certification of Trump’s 2024 election victory into turmoil. Johnson worked diligently up to the final moments to prevent losing his post. He had spent New Year’s Day at Mar-a-Lago as he positioned himself alongside Trump. The speaker often portrays himself as the “quarterback” who will be executing the political plays called by the “coach,” the president-elect.
Johnson led the two GOP lawmakers off the chamber floor. A short time later, Johnson reentered the chamber upbeat, and Norman and Self cast their votes for him, to cheers.Johnson commands one of the slimmest majorities in modern times, having lost seats in the November election. With the sudden resignation of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., the tally dropped to 219-215.
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