Mike Johnson holdouts persist after Trump endorsement
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House Speaker Mike Johnson at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 20. Photo: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is not out of the woods in his fight to retain his gavel, even after receiving a crucial endorsement from President-elect Trump.
Why it matters: The Jan. 3 speaker election will now be an early test not only of Johnson's ability to lead his conference into the coming legislative battles — but of Trump's as well.
Driving the news: Trump said Monday in a post on Truth Social that Johnson is a "good, hard working, religious man" who has his "Complete & Total Endorsement."
- The endorsement came after weeks of right-wing anger toward Johnson for passing a government funding bill with bipartisan support.
- Trump himself was reportedly frustrated with Johnson for failing to tack on a debt limit increase — something he is still demanding before Jan. 20.
State of play: Johnson is set to have just a 219-215 majority when the House returns on Jan. 3, meaning he will likely only be able to lose one vote.
- Trump's endorsement pushed some uncommitted members, like Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), to back Johnson.
- But it hasn't swayed Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the one House Republican who has said he plans to vote against Johnson.
- "I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan," Massie said in a post on X.
Zoom in: Several other undecideds said Monday they, too, are unconvinced by Trump's support for Johnson.
- Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), who has a list of demands for Johnson on reducing government spending, said on X that "we still need to get assurances that [Johnson] won't sell us out to the swamp."
- Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) "still has not made any public or private commitments on Speaker Johnson," his spokesperson told Axios.
- "I'm undecided," said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who has stressed that Trump's endorsement would be decisive for Johnson's chances.
- House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.), who has pushed Johnson to eschew dealmaking with Democrats, is "still undecided," his spokesperson said.
Zoom out: The incoming president maintains the strict loyalty of his party, but he has at times struggled to work his will on the legislative process.
- His backing of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in 2023 did little to dislodge the Californian's right-wing detractors, who only relented after 15 grueling ballots.
- And just this month, 38 Republicans broke with their party and voted against a combined spending and debt limit bill that Trump had demanded — despite the threat of primary challenges.
What's next: Johnson will spend the four days trying to whip his last few holdouts as they demand spending and process-related concessions.
- He is making calls and reaching out to GOP lawmakers who have not yet committed to supporting him, sources familiar with the matter told Axios.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
