Mike Johnson’s Speakership Secured with Trump’s Intervention
Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson clinched back-to-back terms as House Speaker on Friday, thanks to a decisive push from President-elect Donald Trump. His intervention pressured GOP holdouts, transforming the speakership vote into a swift victory.
Before the vote, Trump reached out to wavering House Republicans, urging them to support Johnson. By the time of the vote, only three holdouts remained—one of whom, Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, was already considered a lost cause by Trump’s team.
RE: Speaker’s Vote
My sole focus was advancing the Trump agenda. To ensure this, I expressed concerns to Speaker Johnson about fiscal responsibility and holding the line on deficit spending—key priorities for my constituents.
After receiving firm assurances from the Speaker,…— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) January 3, 2025
The remaining two holdouts, Ralph Norman from South Carolina and Keith Self from Texas, changed their votes after a phone call with Trump. According to Fox News’ Chad Pergram, this conversation was pivotal in swaying their decisions.
During the call, Trump argued that prolonging the speakership battle would be “disrespectful to Americans.” Notably, he did not engage with Massie, who ultimately cast the lone Republican vote against Johnson.
"I'd do it again," Rep. Ralph Norman tells me after holding up Mike Johnson's speakership.
A phone call from President-elect Trump led Norman to change his vote.
"He just said, Mike Johnson is the only one that's got the support among the body to become speaker. And I get… pic.twitter.com/wwhGNZ2pqs
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) January 3, 2025
“It would be disrespectful to Americans who voted in a historic Presidential election—to have this speaker’s vote go to a second or third ballot. And it would be disrespectful to me,” Trump stated in his appeal, emphasizing urgency and unity among Republicans.
Self later expressed his support for Johnson after receiving assurances regarding strong Republican representation during the budget reconciliation process—a key element of Trump’s agenda.
Why was this Speaker election not the multi-ballot, multi-day ordeal that the McCarthy vote was in 2023? The Trump effect. The number of GOP members who were willing to stand in defiance of the president-elect's wishes was exactly 1. pic.twitter.com/67iHeS8T1p
— Byron York (@ByronYork) January 3, 2025
Norman echoed similar sentiments on Fox News, stating he would make the same decision again if necessary. He highlighted Trump’s confidence in Johnson’s ability to lead effectively within the party.
Political analyst Byron York attributed the relative calm surrounding this speakership vote to what he termed the “Trump effect.” He noted that only one GOP member stood against Trump’s wishes during this critical moment.
“Why was this Speaker election not the multi-ballot, multi-day ordeal that the McCarthy vote was in 2023? The Trump effect,” York remarked. The stark contrast in dynamics illustrates Trump’s enduring influence over GOP members as they navigate leadership challenges.
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