Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump seems to be living by the old adage that a leader’s sometimes only as strong as the weak link they chose to surround themselves with. Reports indicate a noticeable dip in Trump’s confidence regarding House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to herd the cats—also known as House Republicans—during what promises to be an eventful next cycle. Given Trump’s considerable influence over the GOP, it’s no secret that he has the power to push Johnson right out of the Speaker’s chair if the winds shift.
Though Trump hasn’t issued an eviction notice just yet, he appears to be softly poking at Johnson’s position like a toddler testing the stability of a wobbly table. His non-committal responses have made it clear that every Republican’s favorite game is about to begin: Guess the Speaker’s future! Trump alluded to the ineptitude of recent spending measures—essentially labeling them as a buffet of Democratic pork—with the kind of condemnation usually reserved for bad reality TV.
For Johnson to keep a grip on his Speaker title, he might need to take a hard look in the mirror and get his act together. Trump has graciously outlined a roadmap of reasonable requests related to the spending package, though accomplishing these demands could feel like untying a Gordian knot, especially with a potential government shutdown looming over Christmas like a big, ugly fruitcake. If Johnson falters, he could find himself careening out of the Speaker’s office about as quickly as one can say, “You’re fired!”
I’m betting Trump will want Johnson replaced!
Donald Trump Begins to Move Against Mike Johnson https://t.co/vFslZvXDDf via @BreitbartNews
— VW Trabi (@VwTrabi) December 19, 2024
The pressure is on Johnson, and it’s not just Trump who’s waving the red flag. There are stirrings of rebellion among the ranks of House Republicans. With such a slim majority incoming, Johnson can only afford a single defector if he hopes to keep his job in early January. Reports have already surfaced about dissatisfaction within party lines, with figures like Rep. Thomas Massie openly stating he would not support Johnson, signaling that there are Republicans sharpening their knives—and likely doing little to hide it.
In short, Johnson stands at a precarious fork in the road. He has been given the chance to silence the saboteurs of the spending packages and unite the Republican conference, but with the clock ticking, it remains to be seen whether he has the mettle to rise to the occasion—or if he’ll crumble like a cheap suit in a rainstorm. The next few weeks will reveal whether Johnson will emerge as the strong leader Trump and the rest of the party need or if he heads to the political slaughterhouse accompanied by the Democrats’ favorite spending traps.
