WASHINGTON, DC, USA – Republican Mike Johnson narrowly retained his position as Speaker of the House on Friday, January 3, 2025, surviving a razor-thin vote that underscored the fragile unity of the GOP in the new 119th Congress.
Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, secured the necessary 218 votes after intense lobbying and last-minute negotiations.
His victory marked the beginning of unified Republican control of Washington, with majorities in the House, Senate, and Trump’s return to the White House later this month.
A Tense Path to Victory
Johnson faced staunch opposition from within his party, with Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie publicly declaring he would not support him.
“You can pull all my fingernails out. You can shove bamboo up in them. You can start cutting off my fingers. I am not voting for Mike Johnson,” Massie said in a television interview on Thursday.
The vote for speaker requires a majority of the full House, meaning Johnson could only afford to lose two Republican votes.
During the initial roll call, three Republicans—Massie, South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman, and Texas Congressman Keith Self—voted for other candidates, leaving Johnson short of the 218 needed.
Trump Steps In
President-elect Donald Trump played a pivotal role in securing Johnson’s victory.
Trump personally called Norman and Self during the voting process, urging them to back Johnson and emphasising the opportunity Republicans had with unified control of Washington.
“Norman, we have the most opportunity we’ve ever had—the House, Senate, a trifecta, you don’t get that opportunity,” Trump told Norman, according to the congressman.
Norman and Self ultimately reversed their votes after meeting with Johnson in a private room off the House floor.
Norman told reporters that Johnson convinced him by pledging to include more conservative voices, particularly from the far-right House Freedom Caucus, in legislative negotiations.
“When we left that small room, he convinced me and Keith,” Norman said.
Self echoed Norman’s sentiments, adding that Johnson’s promises to prioritise fiscal responsibility and Trump’s agenda were decisive.
Johnson’s Vision for Congress
In his acceptance speech, Johnson emphasised the importance of putting “America First,” echoing Trump’s campaign slogan.
“This Congress will champion the idea of America first,” Johnson declared. “Americans are demanding their interests are put first again—and we will.”
Earlier on Friday, Johnson shared plans for his speakership on social media, including the creation of a “working group comprised of independent experts” to collaborate with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump has already tapped Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Republican entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the department.
The working group, Johnson said, would review federal audits and issue a report aimed at addressing wasteful government spending and holding those responsible for misspending accountable.
“If we want to restore fiscal responsibility, we must start by being transparent about the dollars that are spent, address the issues we find, and then hold those accountable who have misspent funds,” Johnson wrote on X.
Challenges Ahead
Johnson’s narrow victory underscores the challenges he will face in managing the Republican majority in the House.
The GOP’s 219-215 margin leaves little room for dissent, and potential vacancies from members accepting positions in the Trump administration could further complicate legislative efforts.
During the speaker vote, five additional Republican lawmakers hesitated to cast their votes, signaling dissatisfaction with Johnson’s leadership.
While they ultimately backed him, their actions served as a warning for future legislative battles.
Johnson’s success is a critical win for the GOP as it seeks to implement Trump’s agenda, including hardline immigration reforms, new tariffs, and sweeping tax and spending cuts.
However, the internal divisions revealed during the vote highlight the difficulties of maintaining party unity in the months ahead.
A Unified Republican Agenda?
The start of the new Congress solidifies Republican control in Washington, but Friday’s vote served as a reminder of the delicate balance Johnson must navigate as speaker.
His ability to unify his party and deliver on Trump’s ambitious legislative goals will be tested as the GOP embarks on its next chapter of governance.
