Donald Trump has congratulated Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) after he became the Republican nominee for speaker, according to The Independent.
Mike Johnson became the fourth Republican candidate for Speaker in the past three weeks after ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
Trump addressed Truth in Social Media on Wednesday morning after he helped end the fight for Majority Leader Tom Emmer’s (R-MN) Council Speaker seat just hours after his nomination earlier Tuesday. He wrote:
“Congratulations to Congressional Republicans! Yesterday was a big and very important day. It gave us a quick and easy way forward with 5 candidates who are beyond reproach, and represent the absolute best there is in the Republican Party.”
Trump added:
“Even the Fake News Media is impressed with what took place yesterday and, more importantly, with the Candidates themselves. Congratulations to Reps. Byron Donalds (Florida), Charles J. ‘Chuck’ Fleischmann (Tennessee), Mark Green (Tennessee), & Roger Williams (Texas), & the ultimate winner of yesterday’s vote, by a significant margin, Mike Johnson (Louisiana). I am not going to make an Endorsement in this race, because I COULD NEVER GO AGAINST ANY OF THESE FINE AND VERY TALENTED MEN, all of whom have supported me, in both mind and spirit, from the very beginning of our GREAT 2016 Victory. In 2024, we will have an even bigger, & more important, WIN! My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST! LOVE, DJT.”
Mr Trump boasted that he helped derail Mr Emmer’s attempt to become Speaker, which ended after just four hours on Tuesday. Mr Trump shared a link to a Politico article with the headline “I Killed It: How Trump torpedoed Tom Emmer’s bid for Speaker.” He told an ally on Tuesday, according to the outlet.
“He’s done. It’s over. I killed him.”
Mr Trump slammed Mr Emmer on Truth Social earlier on Tuesday. He wrote:
“I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors. RINO Tom Emmer, who I do not know well, is not one of them. He never respected the Power of a Trump Endorsement, or the breadth and scope of MAGA—MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
“I believe he has now learned his lesson, because he is saying that he is Pro-Trump all the way, but who can ever be sure? Has he only changed because that’s what it takes to win? The Republican Party cannot take that chance, because that’s not where the America First Voters are. Voting for a Globalist RINO like Tom Emmer would be a tragic mistake!”
The House is expected to vote on Wednesday at noon on the fourth Republican nominee for the highest office in the lower chamber.
After three weeks of internal squabbling and infighting, Johnson’s candidacy unites Republicans more than any of his predecessors – including lawmakers Jim Jordan (R-OH), Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Steve Scalise (R-LA).
Since then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted on October 3, the GOP House of Representatives has changed 14 candidates, and now has four candidates, including Mr Johnson.
Late on Tuesday night, Mr Johnson managed to pass the threshold needed in the Republican conference with 128 votes in an internal poll, a far cry from the 217 votes he needs in the House, where 433 of the 435 seats are now filled.
