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Amid the internal GOP battle over whether to retain Rep. Mike Johnson as House Speaker, President-elect Donald Trump released a statement Monday morning confirming that he is standing behind Johnson.
ABC News explained: Republicans are expected to hold 219 seats when the new Congress convenes on Friday. Electing the speaker of the House will be the first order of business, and the House cannot move on to other business until that happens. If all Democrats are present and vote against Johnson, the Louisiana Republican can only afford to lose one Republican vote.
Below is Trump’s full statement:
We are the Party of COMMON SENSE, a primary reason that we WON, in a landslide, the magnificent and historic Presidential Election of 2024. ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, 312 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES, AND THE POPULAR VOTE BY MILLIONS OF VOTERS (Despite large scale voter fraud taking place in numerous states, including California, where votes are ridiculously still being counted, or under review!), ALL WON WITH EASE, CALM, & PROFESSIONALISM. Republicans are being praised for having run a “legendary” campaign!
Democrats are being excoriated for their effort, having wasted 2.5 Billion Dollars, much of it unaccounted for, with some being used to illegally buy endorsements ($11,000,000 to Beyoncé, who never even sang a song, $2,000,000 to Oprah for doing next to nothing, and even $500,000 to Reverend AL, a professional con man and instigator, who agreed to “interview” their “star spangled” candidates, Kamala and Joe).
We ran a flawless campaign, having spent FAR LESS, with lots of money left over. They ran a very expensive “sinking ship,” embracing DOJ & FBI WEAPONIZATION against their political opponent, ME. BUT IT DIDN’T WORK, IT WAS A DISASTER!!!
LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN. The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration. Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!
On Sunday, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) urged his colleagues to support Johnson.
“We have a lot of work to do on behalf of the American people- from the economy to the border to energy policy to the foreign affairs disaster this incoming Administration is inheriting. We don’t have any time to delay. On January 3rd, we need to reelect @SpeakerJohnson and get on with the pressing tasks at hand, he said.
We have a lot of work to do on behalf of the American people- from the economy to the border to energy policy to the foreign affairs disaster this incoming Administration is inheriting. We don’t have any time to delay. On January 3rd, we need to reelect @SpeakerJohnson and get on… pic.twitter.com/ZrTRY2Wpx7
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) December 29, 2024
Not all Republicans are on board with Johnson, and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is one of those who are digging in their heels.
Last week, Massie insisted, “I will vote for someone other than Mike Johnson. I’m not persuaded by the “hurry up and elect him so we can certify the election on J6” argument. A weak legislative branch, beholden to the swamp, will not be able to achieve the mandate voters gave Trump and Congress in November.”
I will vote for someone other than Mike Johnson. I’m not persuaded by the “hurry up and elect him so we can certify the election on J6” argument. A weak legislative branch, beholden to the swamp, will not be able to achieve the mandate voters gave Trump and Congress in November. pic.twitter.com/vrD3l45XDX
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 27, 2024
Early Monday morning – ahead of Trump’s endorsement for Johnson – Massie doubled down in his opposition, writing, “On January 3rd, 2017 Paul Ryan was elected Speaker by every Republican except me. Ryan went on to offer a fake repeal of ObamaCare, increased spending, backed the deep state, and didn’t fund a wall. Two years later we lost the majority and democrats made a living hell for Trump.”
“Mike Johnson is the next Paul Ryan. On January 3rd, 2025, I won’t be voting for Mike Johnson. I hope my colleague will join me because history will not give America another “do-over.””
Mike Johnson is the next Paul Ryan.
On January 3rd, 2025, I won’t be voting for Mike Johnson.
I hope my colleague will join me because history will not give America another “do-over.”
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 30, 2024
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