Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, pushes for the Louisiana Republican’s removal from his leadership position.
Trump explained on a radio show with host John Fredericks that Johnson has limited flexibility due to the Republican Party’s narrow majority in the House. He described Johnson as a strong supporter of his positions, especially on NATO, and praised Johnson’s efforts despite the challenges he faces. Trump emphasized the importance of the upcoming election and the need for the Republican Party to win control.
Fredericks asked Trump how he reconciles the divide between the MAGA movement and Johnson, as Trump attended his hush-money criminal trial in a Manhattan courtroom earlier in the day.
Trump also acknowledged Johnson’s achievement in securing more than $9 billion of economic aid for Ukraine in the form of forgivable loans as part of a larger package.
Trump stressed the need to elect more conservative senators and representatives to strengthen the Republican majority and secure the presidency. He warned of the potential consequences if the party does not succeed.
Greene, a close ally of Trump, called for Johnson’s resignation after the House approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, including approximately $61 billion for Ukraine, threatening to initiate his removal if he does not step down.
She criticized Johnson’s leadership and urged him to resign to enable a more controlled transition. Johnson’s collaborations with President Biden on spending and other issues have drawn criticism from some conservative members of the House.
The political landscape has shifted since former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from his position in October due to similar issues. With the upcoming November election, the Republican majority has shrunk after McCarthy’s departure and Rep. George Santos’s expulsion.
Despite support from some members like Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, Rep. Bob Good, head of the House Freedom Caucus, opposed removing Johnson from his role, citing that the timing is not right.
