Democratic leaders’ pledge to support House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) against potential ouster attempts by his fellow Republicans has ignited a firestorm of controversy within the GOP. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) held a press conference on Wednesday morning to address the unprecedented Democratic backing for Johnson labeling him the “Democrat Speaker of the House.”
The effort to remove Johnson spearheaded by Greene, Massie and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) primarily stems from his approval of a substantial $95 billion foreign aid package that includes funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. This group’s strategy reflects a growing fracture within the party.
During their press conference, Greene and Massie argued that there is “no possible way” Johnson would be elected Speaker when the new Congress is seated in January regardless of which party holds the majority. They emphasized the need to act now well in advance of the November elections to salvage party unity.
Johnson appeared surprised by the Democratic statement of support during a regular weekly press conference. He emphasized his commitment to doing “the right thing” for the country and striving for a functional Congress despite potential political backlashes.
The situation underscores the precarious balance Johnson must maintain. With a narrow majority he risks alienation from his party’s conservative base and the potential necessity of relying on Democratic votes to maintain his position. The Democrats’ strategy to support Johnson can be seen as a strategic effort to deepen Republican divisions and secure more leverage in future negotiations.
