President-elect Trump successfully rallied House Republicans on Friday to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). – Overcoming deep divisions within the party and calming concerns about President Trump’s ability to unify the party after the stunning defeat of a government spending bill late last month.
The bill led to 38 defections from the Republican Party and threatened a partial government shutdown, raising concerns that Trump’s once-strong grip on the Republican Party was weakening. , those concerns were quickly allayed Friday night when Trump managed to secure a majority of votes. The House speaker faced stiff opposition from members of the House Freedom Caucus, whose party holds only a slim majority in the chamber.
Three Republicans initially voted against Johnson, but seven others remained silent. With a razor-thin Republican majority and only one Republican defector admitted to Mr. Johnson, it remains unclear whether or how the party can overcome the disadvantage after the first round. was opaque.
Mike Johnson reelected as House speaker as threat of Republican insurrection dissipates
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana, left) shakes hands with President-elect Trump at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
In the end, all but one holdout changed their votes, which many directly credited as a sign of Trump’s continued influence within the party.
At least two Republicans who changed their support for Johnson as speaker said they did so after multiple conversations with Trump.
President Trump spoke by phone with Rep. Ralph Norman (R.C.) and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) after they initially voted for each other than Johnson.
Self, one of two holdouts who changed their “no” vote for Johnson to a “yes” vote, told reporters Friday that his decision came after multiple phone calls with the president-elect. He said he had reached it.
“This was all about how to make President Trump’s policies successful,” Self told reporters about the decision to support Johnson. “We have to be strong as a Republican conference to make President Trump’s policies as successful as possible. This is what it’s all about.”
On October 3, 2023, Representative Keith Self (R-Texas) arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for a vote on the motion to resign against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. (via Getty Images)
Norman later confirmed to reporters that he had also spoken to Trump. “He just made the case that Mike is the only one who has a chance of getting elected,” Norman said. He added that it wasn’t Trump who changed the vote, but rather Johnson’s “promise that things were going to change.”
Officials told Fox News on Friday that the president-elect was in “constant communication” with House Republicans throughout the process.
The 11 Republican members of the House Freedom Caucus, who fought with Mr. Johnson over various provisions in the government spending bill late last month, did not speak. In a letter Friday night, members said their decision to support Mr. Johnson was solely a result of their support for the president-elect.
The letter, written by Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, expresses “our steadfast support for President Trump and the timeliness of the electorate.” “We are supporting Mr. Johnson to ensure that he is recognized.” ”
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“We have taken this action despite our sincere reservations regarding the Chairman’s performance over the past 15 months,” the letter said. “Now, Speaker Johnson must prove that he will not fail to implement President Trump’s bold policies.”
Mr. Johnson directly thanked Mr. Trump in his post about X.
“Thank you, President Trump! This is a new day for America. Congressional Republicans must continue to unite to quickly implement President Trump’s America First policies.” “Let’s do it.”
Brianne Depiche is a political reporter for FOX News Digital, covering the 2024 election and other national news.
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