Trump endorses Johnson to continue as House speaker

President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had his endorsement to continue wielding the gavel during the upcoming Congress. Trump described Johnson as a religious, hard-working, and good man.

The endorsement clarifies their relationship. In May 2024, conservative Republicans in the House tried to remove Johnson from leadership, although he survived a vote. Earlier this month, Trump criticized a government spending bill that Johnson supported. After Trump demanded changes to the bill, Republicans passed an altered bill to fund the government.

So why did Trump pick Johnson after their dispute about spending? Americans need immediate relief from the past administration, and Johnson would do the right thing and help Republicans continue to win, Trump said. The speaker thanked Trump for his support, saying he was humbled by it. Together, the two leaders would implement Trump’s America First agenda and usher in a new golden era for the United States, Johnson said.

Did Trump have anything else to say? While voicing support for Johnson, Trump described Republicans as the party of common sense, crediting the party for his win in the 2024 presidential election. He claimed that even though Democrats outspent his campaign and allegedly used the Justice Department as a weapon against him, he still won all seven swing states and a solid majority of votes in the Electoral College.

Dig deeper: Read Leo Briceno’s report in The Stew about the outcome of Johnson’s efforts to keep the government funded earlier this month.