Trump Praises New House Speaker Mike Johnson for His Strong Work Ethic and Faith
- Milton Quintanilla Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Published Dec 31, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump announced his endorsement of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, calling him a "good, hard-working, religious man."
"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!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
In that same statement, he described the Republican Party as the party of "common sense," noting how the GOP swept the swing states in the presidential election and won the popular vote. He also noted the Democrats are being "excoriated" for wasting 2.5 billion dollars on the campaign while Republicans 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," he contended.
Trump's endorsement of Johnson's comes prior to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives selection of a speaker on Friday. Democrats, on the other hand, are expected to back Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as speaker.
Some Republicans, however, have already stated they will not endorse Johnson, even with Trump's support.
"I won't be voting for Mike Johnson." Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky wrote on X Monday morning.
Mike Johnson is the next Paul Ryan.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 30, 2024
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.”
"I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We've seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget," he explained in a follow-up post.
I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget. pic.twitter.com/6Y7GAkcBzJ
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 30, 2024
During an interview on "Fox & Friends" Monday, Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., implied she might not back Johnson for speaker. She argued it is necessary for Johnson to "President Trump's agenda" but doubted whether he will implement Trump's and the Republicans policy priorities in light of his tenure so far.
"He committed on the House floor to have a fiscal commission, so we have [a] plan for [the] debt ceiling increase," she recalled.
"He was afraid to put it on the floor," Spartz lamented. "He was afraid to put [the] budget on the floor except [the] Post Office bill. We could not accomplish anything."
"I can give him a chance, but I would like to hear from him how he's going to be delivering this agenda and what plan he has, and he hasn't been doing it," she said, adding that other congressional Republicans share her concerns and could end up seeking the office themselves.
The House is supposed to elect a Speaker prior to the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 in order that the 2024 election results are certified. Failure to elect a speaker would delay Trump from taking office, and the Senate president pro tempore, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, currently Sen. Chuck Grassley, will become acting president until a speaker is elected.
WATCH: Mike Johnson Needs to Do His 'Constitutional Duty' if He Wants to be Speaker, Rep. Spartz Warns
