On Friday morning, President Trump sent social media messages of support and well wishes to Mike Johnson, his preferred candidate for House speaker, just hours before the House is set to make its decision.
Trump recognized the mutual need between himself and Mike Johnson.
“A victory for Mike today represents a significant achievement for the Republican Party, and it reaffirms our 129-year historical Presidential Election! – A RESOUNDING CONFIRMATION, INDEED. MAGA!”
Former Representative Matt Gaetz, who was Trump’s unsuccessful pick for attorney general, expressed confidence that success is imminent.
A senior Republican who is well-informed about the current dynamics of the speaker vote suggested that it might take three rounds of voting for Johnson to secure the 218 votes required to assume the role of speaker. This threshold applies if all members are present and participate in the voting.
Unlike Kevin McCarthy’s prolonged struggle two years ago, which spanned hours and included 15 rounds of negotiations and compromises, it’s expected that Johnson’s path will be less tumultuous. McCarthy’s tenure was the third shortest in history.
Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky is currently the only GOP member who has declared his opposition to Johnson when the voting occurs at noon on Friday. He stated on Gaetz’s inaugural show on One America News Network Thursday night that he would not be swayed into voting for Johnson.
“You can inflict any torture on me,” Massie declared. “You could remove all of my fingernails, insert bamboo under my skin, or even start amputating my fingers. I will not be voting for Mike Johnson tomorrow. You can bank on that.”
On Friday, lawmakers from both parties will be sworn in for the new 119th Congress, with Republicans controlling both chambers for the first time in six years.
As of Thursday evening, between 15 and 20 GOP legislators were still undecided on whether to back Johnson.
Nevertheless, another senior Republican in the House assured the Daily Beast on Friday morning that Johnson will succeed, though he cautioned: “I doubt it will be a seamless process.”
Johnson was ultimately elected House Speaker as predicted.
