Donald Trump's Influence on Speaker Johnson's Leadership
As Speaker Johnson faces challenges to his position, he strategically aligns himself with the influential Republican figure, Donald Trump, to strengthen his stance and support within the party.
Mike Johnson is facing a challenge to his speakership, but he is making efforts to show his support for the Republican Party's key figure, Donald Trump.
He is scheduled to visit Mar-a-Lago on Friday to hold a joint news conference with the former president. They will be discussing "election integrity," a topic that Trump is passionate about. CNN was the first to report this development.
Johnson’s allies have requested Trump to publicly support the speaker or refrain from getting involved in his disagreements with House Republicans. They have also advised Johnson to keep Trump informed about an upcoming Ukraine aid package, a sensitive policy issue that could potentially anger Trump, divide House Republicans, and jeopardize Johnson’s position as a new speaker.
By seeking to maintain a positive relationship with Trump, Johnson hopes to gain political protection as he navigates the challenges of governing and works to prevent a potential uprising from the right-wing. This strategy highlights the significant influence that Trump continues to hold over the House Republican Conference.
Johnson, a strong supporter of Trump for a long time, was a key figure in Trump's attempt to challenge the results of the 2020 election. According to CNN, Johnson reached out to House Republicans through email after the election, asking for their support in a lawsuit from Texas. The lawsuit aimed to invalidate Electoral College votes from Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, but it was later dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 2.
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 2.
Rebecca Cook/Reuters
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Johnson may find it challenging to show full alignment with Trump. In addition to pledging to provide funding to Ukraine, which Trump opposes, he is also working on passing a controversial foreign surveillance law. However, these efforts were derailed when Trump urged Republicans to reject the bill and hard-liners blocked a procedural vote.
During a private meeting with House Republicans, Johnson mentioned speaking to the former president the day before. When questioned by CNN about seeking Trump's support in a potential ousting vote, Johnson declined to comment on his conversations with President Trump.
Trump’s team also declined to comment on the call.
Johnson added: “It would be chaos in the House” if a motion to vacate the speaker’s chair were to succeed.
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a strong supporter of Trump, is considering pushing for a vote on Johnson's removal. She mentioned in an interview with CNN that she had a recent conversation with Trump, but she did not disclose his thoughts on her actions. "I can't speak on behalf of the president," Greene stated after a lengthy meeting in the speaker's office on Wednesday.
Greene mentioned that Johnson's upcoming news conference with Trump doesn't bother him. Trump, on the other hand, has mentioned that he does not want to engage in another speaker fight, according to a source who spoke to CNN.
Johnson, who has pledged to discuss Ukraine upon lawmakers' return to Washington after a two-week break, is seeking support from Trump, which he believes would be beneficial. He has not yet revealed his strategy and intends to consult with members of his conference this week.
The speaker has suggested some ways to make the proposal more attractive to conservatives, like considering the aid as a loan, which was previously suggested by Trump.
Some House Republicans mentioned they would prefer a Ukraine package with Trump's support and urged Johnson to involve Trump in the decision-making process.
“I would hope the speaker is consulting with Donald Trump on just about everything we do,” said Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, a Trump ally. “If he’s not, he should be.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson arrives at the US Capitol on Wednesday, March 13.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson arrives at the US Capitol on Wednesday, March 13.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
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Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, who leads the conservative Republican Study Committee, shared a similar view. According to Hern, having President Trump's support would benefit the Republican Party.
Some Trump allies who support aiding Ukraine were cautiously optimistic after the former president's meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week. Cameron described the meeting as positive and stated that he would persist in advocating for Ukraine aid during discussions in Washington with US lawmakers from both parties.
Cameron emphasized to Trump during their meeting that backing Ukraine is crucial for US security and that it is important to continue supporting the Ukrainians in their efforts.
Two individuals close to Trump stated that there was no sign of the former president changing his position on supporting Ukraine. Greene kept pushing Johnson to reconsider his proposals for providing aid to Ukraine and passing the surveillance bill.
"He doesn't have my support at the moment. I'm keeping an eye on the developments regarding FISA and Ukraine. Those are the two key things we'll be monitoring."
This story and headline have been updated with more information.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the complex and evolving relationship between House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump. Johnson, a staunch Trump supporter, is facing challenges to his leadership from within the Republican Party. To maintain his position, Johnson is seeking Trump's support, recognizing the former president's continued influence over the party. This strategy underscores the enduring power of Trump's endorsement and the potential consequences for those who may not align with his views.
The article also discusses the ongoing debate within the Republican Party over providing aid to Ukraine and passing a controversial foreign surveillance law. Johnson is navigating these issues while trying to appease both Trump and the broader Republican caucus. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for Johnson's leadership and the future of the Republican Party.
