Johnson Wins Speakership, But Challenges Loom Ahead for Him
Mike Johnson’s victory in the speakership race signals a rocky road ahead as conservatives set high expectations for his leadership.
Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, GOP, Congress, Freedom Caucus, Washington, USA
Washington: So, Mike Johnson just snagged the speakership, right? But hold on, it’s not all smooth sailing from here. His victory might look good on paper, but the reality is a bit messier.
He got enough votes on the first try, thanks to some last-minute lobbying and a few calls from Trump. But now, the conservatives are watching him closely. They see this win as just a temporary peace treaty.
Some hardliners are already laying down the law. They’ve got a list of demands, and if Johnson doesn’t meet them, they’re ready to push for a vote to kick him out. The rules have changed, too. Now, it takes nine GOP members to start that process, up from just one.
One of the reps, Eli Crane, mentioned that this kind of tension is always going to be there. He hopes it doesn’t come to that, but who knows? Johnson’s friends are hoping this is just the start of Republicans getting their act together, even if it’s a bit chaotic.
They’re feeling good about Trump backing Johnson, too. One rep even joked that he hopes Trump can whip them into shape.
But here’s the kicker: Johnson’s got a tough road ahead. His margin is slim, and he can only afford to lose one GOP vote on big issues. If he has to rely on Democrats for support, he’ll face serious backlash from his own party.
And the Freedom Caucus isn’t holding back. They sent out a letter right after Johnson won, listing what they expect from him. They want to tackle inflation and even ban stock trading by Congress members. They’re not shy about making their demands known.
One rep, Andy Ogles, said it’s all about accountability. Johnson has a plan, but he needs to deliver. If he doesn’t, some members are ready to pull the trigger on a motion to vacate.
Another rep, Chip Roy, hinted at “consequences” if Congress doesn’t meet certain priorities. He’s not playing around when he says they need to deliver on their promises.
This situation feels a lot like what happened with former Speaker McCarthy. He had a rough time, and some members turned on him pretty quickly. Johnson seems to have a better rapport with the hardliners, though. He’s been working hard to keep the peace.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden said they don’t want to sound the alarm just yet. They’re trying to keep communication open to avoid a repeat of the past. It’s a tricky balance, but they’re all in it together.
Jennifer Scholtes and Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.