Mike Johnson wins Republican support to be House speaker again after Trump endorsement

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has once again been chosen to lead the GOP conference after a closed-door vote on Wednesday. This decision follows President-elect Donald Trump’s endorsement of Johnson earlier in the day, with sources in the room confirming that Trump is “100%” behind him.

Despite this show of support, some hard-line GOP members are still withholding their backing due to concerns over Johnson’s handling of government spending and foreign aid in the current Congress. Nevertheless, Johnson’s re-election as the leader of the GOP conference marks a significant milestone in his political career.

Johnson, a relatively lesser-known lawmaker from Louisiana, rose to prominence when he succeeded former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after McCarthy was ousted by House Democrats and some fellow Republicans. Since then, Johnson has navigated the challenges of leading a party with a razor-thin majority in the House, facing pressure from conservative members pushing for more stringent policies.

While Johnson faced no significant challengers in this recent vote, the real test will come in January when he will need to secure a majority of the entire House chamber to be re-elected as speaker. McCarthy, his predecessor, famously endured 15 rounds of House votes and had to make concessions to a small group of holdouts in exchange for their support.

With Republicans projected to maintain their majority in the House in the upcoming Congress, Johnson’s leadership will be crucial in navigating potential challenges and ensuring party unity. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., are expected to retain their positions uncontested.

As Johnson prepares to lead the GOP conference into the next Congress, the support of President-elect Trump and his track record in managing a closely divided House will be essential in maintaining party cohesion and advancing Republican priorities. The road ahead may be challenging, but Johnson’s experience and leadership will be instrumental in guiding the party through the complexities of governing in a divided political landscape.