House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) wasted little time after 163 Democrats voted to keep him in the House speakership after Special Counsel Jack Smith – Announced that he would not use Congress’s constitutional authority to block “legal action” against Trump.
The speaker, in some of his early public comments after Democrats rescued the gavel, rejected attempts to defund Smith’s office as it continues to prosecute Trump.
“It’s not just a matter of waving a wand and eliminating the special prosecutor as a provision,” Johnson said. politiko. “Such a function is necessary because the Justice Department, as an executive branch agency, may not necessarily be able to investigate or prosecute the president, his boss, or the president’s family without a conflict of interest.”
Asked bluntly whether he would write language into the spending bill that would eliminate Smith’s job, Johnson said “no.”
Mike Johnson asked if he would stop the witch hunt aimed at putting President Trump in prison forever. pic.twitter.com/MyosP1FAMj
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) May 9, 2024
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) disparagingly pointed out Johnson’s comments about・Mr. Johnson!”
Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) pushed for a vote to expel Johnson on Wednesday night, after weeks of pressure on him to end his coalition with Democrats. They collaborated to pull the trigger and pressured Mr. Johnson to take on Democrats. It also includes other bills currently under consideration, such as spending bills and reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On Wednesday afternoon, Johnson, who had already relinquished influence over the FAA bill to the Senate, unexpectedly scheduled a vote on a one-week extension of the FAA, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ) will have time to finalize the bill. Deadline Friday night. Johnson then canceled the rest of the week’s House votes, giving lawmakers a long weekend while Schumer and his Senate continue preparing to obstruct the House again.
Mr. Green and Mr. Massey pressed through a motion to invalidate the vote hours later, informing voters of their representatives’ positions. The results have been revealed.
Mr Johnson has a small but determined opposition within his own party, and Mr Johnson’s chairmanship would be in jeopardy if Democrats withdrew their support.
Trump earlier this week expressed support for defunding Smith. He signed a printout of Greene’s statement on Greene’s funding strategy and wrote, “Great!” with his iconic magic marker.
I’m fighting for President Trump, the Republican majority, and everyone who believes in America First.
I’m proud to have President Trump’s support, and he has my support! pic.twitter.com/yOJdRyB7pe
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) May 8, 2024
On Wednesday night, shortly after Democrats retained Mr. Johnson’s chairmanship, Mr. Trump also weighed in, suggesting it’s not the time to oust Mr. Johnson — although that time may come.
“We are not in a position to vote for a motion to resign,” he said. “Maybe someday, but now is not the time.”
Bradley Jay is Breitbart News’ Capitol Hill correspondent. Follow him on X/Twitter. @BradleyAJay.
