Staff Reports
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is working to maintain the support of former President Donald Trump as he works to prevent a potential rebellion from the conservative wing of the House. Trump has made it clear that he stands behind Johnson, despite some hard-line Republicans considering removing him from his position as speaker due to recent deals he has made.
Mike Johnson shores up relationship with Trump as ouster threat looms – Washington Examiner https://t.co/m3X4uHuIRV
— Paul Beard (@PaulBeardTenn) April 30, 2024
Even though Democrats have offered to help Johnson in the event of a no-confidence vote, he is focused on keeping the support of his fellow Republicans. He recently visited Mar-a-Lago and has planned to attend a donor retreat with Trump in Palm Beach, Florida. This relationship-building with Trump has given Johnson a boost in confidence as speaker and has helped him successfully pass important legislation, such as Ukraine aid, by incorporating Trump’s ideas and priorities.
While Johnson’s efforts to maintain his position have faced some skepticism, he has garnered public support from Trump, who commended his ability to work with Democrats and manage a slim majority in the House. Johnson’s outreach to Trump is an attempt to limit the backlash from conservative members of the House who have been critical of his recent compromises.
Despite facing some opposition, Johnson has made it clear that he is aligned with Trump on key issues like Ukraine and election integrity. By staying close to Trump, Johnson hopes to avoid the same fate as his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, who lost the support of Trump and faced challenges in his role as House speaker.
Overall, Johnson’s attempts to build a strong relationship with Trump are seen as an important strategy to maintain his position as speaker and navigate the challenges of leading a divided House.
