House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Tuesday there will be a peaceful transfer of power when the new Congress is sworn in next year, while predicting Republicans will hold onto their majority.
Johnson made the comments during a campaign stop in Orangeburg, New York, alongside Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., one week before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. A reporter for MS NOW asked whether he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power in January regardless of the results.
Johnson brushed off the question as “a little silly” before offering a confident answer.
“Of course, we’ll have a peaceful transfer of power, but it will not be transferring,” Johnson said, adding that Republicans would keep the majority and he would remain speaker.
The Louisiana Republican, a former constitutional attorney, said he would follow the Constitution to the letter.
Johnson explained that once a state certifies the election of members of Congress, those members are administered the oath of office. He said that is exactly what he will do on Jan. 3 for every member-elect present.
The exchange comes as some Democrats have raised concerns about a scenario in which Republicans might decline to seat newly elected Democratic members. Johnson’s answer was meant to put those worries to rest.
Critics have pointed to Johnson’s role following the 2020 presidential election, when he was a key congressional ally of President Donald Trump in challenging the results. Asked about that history by a reporter in October 2023, shortly after he became speaker, Johnson declined to answer and moved on to the next question.
President Trump, for his part, said this week that he will respect the outcome of the midterm elections as long as they are honest.
Johnson has remained bullish about Republicans’ chances, even as polls and forecasters point to a difficult environment for the GOP. Decision Desk HQ gives Democrats roughly an 80% chance of retaking the House, where they need to flip just three seats. Republicans are also contending with high gas prices tied to the conflict with Iran and voter frustration over the cost of living.
The speaker has dismissed the polling. Earlier this month, he told CBS News he expects to remain speaker and called a Republican loss an unlikely scenario that he doesn’t spend time thinking about.
Not all Republicans share his optimism. Former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said Tuesday that Democrats will “probably” win the House.
Lawler, whose suburban New York district is among the most competitive in the country, represents exactly the type of seat Republicans must hold to keep their narrow majority. Johnson has crisscrossed the country in recent weeks campaigning for vulnerable incumbents.
The new Congress will convene on Jan. 3, when the speaker election and swearing-in of members will take place.
[READ MORE: Trump Says He Will Respect Midterm Results “If They’re Honest Elections”]
