EXCLUSIVE: President-elect Donald Trump tells FOX News Digital that if House Speaker Mike Johnson “acts decisively and tough” and “eliminates all the trappings that Democrats have set” in the spending package, ” He could easily remain as chairman.” .
Fox News Digital had an exclusive interview with the president-elect Thursday morning, just hours after a bipartisan agreement to avoid a partial government shutdown expired.
Conservatives revolt over government funding plan, with Johnson facing rival speakership
“Anyone who supports a bill that doesn’t respect the Democratic quicksand known as the debt ceiling should be removed and disposed of as soon as possible,” President Trump told Fox News Digital.
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance met with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, on Wednesday night. The two talked for about an hour about possible lasting solutions. Vance said the two had a “productive conversation” and that he believed “we can resolve some issues here” and that he would “continue to work on it.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shakes hands with President-elect Trump on the podium during the House Republican Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC, on November 13, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
All eyes are on the upcoming speaker vote as Mr Johnson struggles to maintain full party unity amid confusion over passing legislation to avert a government shutdown.
But the president-elect told Fox News Digital that Johnson would continue in his role as chairman “with ease.”
President Trump told Fox News Digital: “If the Speaker can act decisively and forcefully and remove all of the traps that the Democrats have laid that are destroying our country economically and in other ways, he will easily remain in office.” said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol after the final vote of the week, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Chair vote is scheduled for January 3, 2025.
The 1,547-page bill, which has already been defunct, would reduce federal funding for fiscal year 2024 with the aim of giving lawmakers more time by Friday to agree on funding for the remainder of fiscal year 2025. It was set up as a short-term extension of the level. deadline.
Mike Johnson wins Republican support to become Speaker of the House again after Trump’s support
In addition to funding the government through March 14, the bill includes more than $100 billion in disaster relief to help Americans affected by hurricanes Milton and Helen. Ta. In addition to a $10 billion economic relief package for farmers, the package also includes health care reform and provisions aimed at revitalizing Washington, D.C.’s RFK Stadium and the surrounding campus.
The bill also proposes salary increases for members of Congress.
Members of the House Freedom Caucus said they felt blindsided by unrelated policy riders added to the bill in last-minute negotiations.
Several Republicans, who were granted anonymity to speak freely, said Mr. Johnson would contest a challenge to his chairmanship in early January over the issue.
The top Republicans would be someone like House Majority Whip Tom Emmer or Republican Ming, the people said. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.) were mentioned in early discussions about the alternative.
From left to right: Critics of House Speaker Mike Johnson have mentioned names like Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, and Rep. Byron Donald as possible candidates to replace him. I’m here. (Getty Images)
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But a source close to Donald told Fox News Digital that “at this time, the congressman has not made any statements regarding the future of House leadership.”
A spokesperson for Emmer also told Fox News Digital: “Whip Emmer supports Speaker Johnson and is focused on fulfilling the job he was elected to do.”
A source close to Jordan also told Fox News Digital that the Ohio Republican “has no interest in challenging Mr. Johnson.”
Fox News Digital’s Liz Elkind contributed to this report.
Brooke Singman is a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
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