On Friday, House Speaker nominee Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was reelected as Speaker.
The Louisiana Republican won along party lines in the first round, in contrast to his predecessor's 15 long-running 2023 elections.
This comes despite heavy criticism from some conservatives who have threatened to withhold support from Johnson in protest of his handling of government funds and several other issues in the 118th Congress. I was disappointed.
President Trump gives Johnson 'full and complete support' ahead of speakership race
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson won re-election and became Speaker of the House. (Getty/AP)
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who unsuccessfully campaigned to oust Mr. Johnson last year, was the House speaker's most vocal critic in the lead-up to Friday's vote.
He told former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz on his new One America News Network show, “You can pull out all my nails or I'll shove bamboo in them.'' But you can cut off my fingers.''
“I'm not going to vote for Mike Johnson tomorrow. You can take it to the bank,” Massey said.
Johnson slams Democrats as 'dishonest' for vowing to repeal Obamacare
Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is seen outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
Other critics include House Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who has expressed interest in chairing the influential House Rules Committee, which dictates the terms of full House votes on bills. Members of the Freedom Caucus were also included.
Johnson's allies say a prolonged battle for Speaker could delay the joint session of Congress scheduled for January 6 to certify President-elect Donald Trump's victory. he warned.
President-elect Donald Trump has again endorsed Johnson for chairman. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Mr. Johnson also has a key supporter of Mr. Trump, who emphasized his support for Republican leadership hours before the noon vote.
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“I wish Speaker of the House Mike Johnson the best of luck today. He's a great, highly qualified person, and he's very close to 100% support. Mike's win today is a huge win for the Republican Party. “A momentous presidential election!!'' Trump wrote on his Truth Social app.
Johnson responded to X, saying, “Thank you, President Trump! This is a new day for America. Congressional Republicans must come together and quickly implement President Trump's America First policies. Let's get it done.”
His victory marks the beginning of his first full term as chairman. Johnson won the gavel in October 2023 after three weeks of closed-door talks following the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
