The defeat of Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposed spending plan has highlighted the precariousness of his leadership as House Republicans remain deeply divided on how to proceed. With a government shutdown looming, Johnson’s ability to lead effectively is under increasing scrutiny, particularly as former President Donald Trump’s influence continues to cast a significant shadow over the GOP.
The bipartisan spending proposal, once seen as a potential solution to avert a shutdown, was derailed this week, intensifying tensions among Republicans. Johnson, a close ally of Trump, now faces serious questions about his capacity to maintain the confidence of his caucus and retain his position as Speaker when Congress reconvenes in January.
Trump’s reaction to Johnson’s leadership has been anything but reassuring for the Speaker of the House, according to a new report by Politico. While the former president publicly lauded Johnson after the spending plan’s failure, he also issued a stark warning: Johnson’s position would remain secure only if he rescinded concessions made to Democrats. This contradictory stance has left many Republicans uncertain about the strength of Trump’s backing for the current GOP leader of the House.
“If someone challenges Johnson, there’s not going to be any pushback from Trump,” said an adviser to the former president, who spoke to the outlet. This lack of unequivocal support from Trump could embolden critics within the GOP to pursue new leadership.
CNN also revealed a “schism” growing between the two GOP leaders. Allies of President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago have been urging Speaker Johnson and his team to address the debt ceiling before Trump takes office, signaling Trump’s preference for resolving the issue early to avoid giving Democrats leverage in future negotiations. Trump’s stance diverges from the conventional GOP strategy, which anticipated dealing with the debt ceiling in March or June as part of broader spending and policy debates. The unexpected push to include this politically charged issue in the lame-duck session has surprised some within the president-elect’s circle. Trump aims to start his term with a clean slate, leveraging the GOP’s majority in Congress to negotiate deeper spending cuts.
Johnson’s problems come as Republicans prepare for a critical year, with the party set to control the House, Senate, and White House in January. Despite efforts to solidify his position, including late-night meetings with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, Johnson has struggled to unite a party deeply divided over key issues. Critics argue his spending proposal failed to address core conservative priorities, leaving him exposed to dissent from within his ranks.
Adding to his troubles, prominent Republicans have publicly voiced doubts about his leadership. Representative Thomas Massie, from Kentucky, has withdrawn his support, while Indiana congresswoman Victoria Spartz has launched a boycott of her own caucus over Johnson’s leadership. Speculation is growing about potential successors, with Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan and Majority Leader Steve Scalise emerging as possible contenders.
The stakes for Johnson are particularly high given the GOP’s slim majority in January, with only a four-seat margin. Even minor defections could jeopardize his hold on the speakership. Some lawmakers who continue to back Johnson remain cautious. “Time will tell,” said Representative Ralph Norman, who supports Johnson but opposes the defeated spending plan.
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