Trump says Mike Johnson will ‘easily remain speaker’ if he acts ‘decisively and tough’ on spending bill

President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, stating that Johnson will easily retain his position as speaker for the next Congress if he takes decisive and tough actions to eliminate traps set by Democrats in the spending package. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital following the collapse of a bipartisan deal to avoid a government shutdown, Trump emphasized the importance of addressing the debt ceiling in any legislative bill.

Vice President-elect JD Vance recently met with Speaker Johnson to discuss a potential continuing resolution, with Vance describing their conversation as productive and expressing optimism about finding solutions to ongoing challenges. The upcoming speaker vote on January 3, 2025, has gained heightened attention amid the struggle to pass legislation to prevent a shutdown, as Johnson faces difficulties in maintaining party unity.

Despite these challenges, Trump remains confident in Johnson’s ability to lead as speaker, provided he takes bold and decisive actions to navigate the current political landscape. The failed 1,547-page bill, which aimed to extend government funding through March 14 and included provisions for disaster aid, economic relief for farmers, healthcare reforms, and infrastructure revitalization, faced criticism for last-minute additions perceived as unrelated policy riders.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus expressed concerns about the bill’s content and the perceived lack of transparency in negotiations, raising the possibility of challenges to Johnson’s speakership bid in early January. As the situation continues to evolve, updates on the developments surrounding the speaker vote and legislative efforts will be provided.

Brooke Singman, a political correspondent and reporter for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel, and FOX Business, will continue to monitor and report on this developing story. Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing political saga.