New trouble for “Speaker” Mike Johnson

Mike Johnson is likely feeling a bit more secure since Donald Trump endorsed him to remain as speaker. He needed help, but he’s going to need more. According to Newsweek, there are at least six Republicans who are holding out on backing him. Because the Republican majority is so narrow, Johnson can lose only one vote and remain as speaker. Unfortunately for him, Newsweek said that one Republican has already said he’s “a hard no” on Johnson, but he can still survive if all remaining Republicans vote for him. He will need a total of 218 of the 219 votes available to Republicans. He’d better hope they come through, as Democrats have already said they’re not helping him, so he’d better be out schmoozing the Republicans if he wants to stay.

Newsweek posted a list of Republicans who have not yet given support to Johnson. Thomas Massie (KY) is likely the most vocal of Johnson’s critics. Massie doesn’t believe that Trump’s endorsement helps because of “money to Ukraine, authorizing spying on Americans, and blowing the budget.” Mostly, he’s pissed because Johnson worked with Democrats on the bill, which is no reason to criticize it. Another who is angry over the bipartisanship work is Chip Roy (TX), and Victoria Spartz (IN) wants to ensure that Johnson “won’t sell us out to the swamp,” whatever that means. The remaining Republicans whose votes are still unknown are Andy Harris (MD) and Andy Biggs (AZ).

If Republicans can’t learn to work with Democrats, they are going to have a hard time in Congress, given their small majority. Besides, most voters want everyone to work together. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that Democrats aren’t helping Johnson: “There will be no Democrats available to save him or the extreme MAGA Republicans from themselves based on the breaching of a bipartisan agreement that reflected priorities that were good for the American People.” It is starting to appear that some Americans don’t know what’s good for them, or they wouldn’t have voted Trump back into office. The low income and farmers will feel the brunt of Trump’s tariffs that he thinks make the world go around.

According to the New York Times, Trump had several private discussions about whether to save Johnson. Someone likely pointed out to Trump that the proverbial pickings are slim in the Republican Conference. Both Jim Jordan and Steve Scalise failed, and Republicans are likely ashamed of the last fiasco they created. Trump, of course, has his own ulterior motive. If no speaker is in place, there goes his inauguration, and we know how much Trump loves “pomp and circumstance.” Besides, Trump will already have his hands full with the non-MAGA Republicans and those who are willing to oppose him, which likely includes both types of Republicans. Trump’s return to the White House has already been a bit of a rocky road. He doesn’t want it to get even rockier, though it undoubtedly will. It’s going to be hard to get this group of Republican knuckleheads together.

Shirley Kennedy

Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years