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President-elect Donald Trump issued a strong endorsement for House Speaker Mike Johnson ahead of Friday’s critical vote for the speakership. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Johnson as a “good, hard-working, religious man” and urged Republican unity as Congress prepares to certify his 2024 election victory and advance his legislative agenda.
“Speaker Mike Johnson has my Complete & Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote. “He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. LET’S NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.”
Johnson welcomed Trump’s support, pledging to align with the incoming administration’s priorities. “I am honored by President-elect Trump’s confidence and will quickly deliver on the agenda that Americans voted for,” Johnson said.
Despite Trump’s call for unity, Johnson faces potential defections from within his party, which could jeopardize his bid to retain the speaker’s gavel. With Republicans holding only a slim majority in the House, Johnson can afford to lose only a handful of GOP votes in Friday’s election.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is among those who have signaled opposition, citing concerns over Johnson’s legislative strategy. “I’m not persuaded by the ‘hurry up and elect him so we can certify the election on J6’ argument,” Massie posted on X. “A weak legislative branch, beholden to the swamp, will not be able to achieve the mandate voters gave Trump and Congress in November.”
Johnson’s position has also been weakened by conservative dissatisfaction with his handling of the year-end bipartisan spending deal. Critics, including billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk, have slammed Johnson for failing to secure significant spending cuts and excluding a provision to raise the debt ceiling, a key demand of Trump’s.
The spending bill, which narrowly passed, angered fiscal conservatives and highlighted divisions within the Republican caucus.
As tensions simmer, Trump urged his party to rally behind Johnson and seize the opportunity presented by unified Republican control of the presidency and both chambers of Congress in 2025. His upcoming reform agenda, which emphasizes immigration policy and economic revitalization, depends heavily on a cooperative legislative branch.
“Speaker Johnson and the Republican Congress have a mandate from the American people,” Trump wrote. “We cannot waste time on internal divisions.”
The new Congress is set to convene Friday, with the vote for speaker scheduled for the same day. Days later, lawmakers will certify Trump’s 2024 election victory on Jan. 6, a milestone in what Trump has pledged will be a transformative second term.
