Speaker Mike Johnson humiliated as Republicans tank first vote on his reelection bid
Rep. Mike Johnson was humiliated Friday after failing to be re-elected as speaker of the House of Representatives in the first vote that left the Republican Party in chaos.
In scenes reminiscent of the circus that led to Kevin McCarthy’s impeachment in 2023, members of the Republican Party protested by voting against their leader.
With an ultra-small majority, just two ‘No’ votes from the Republican Party were enough to prevent Johnson from winning.
Ultimately, three Republicans opposed Johnson in the first round, a slap in the face to newly elected President Donald Trump, who has been voicing his support for the president’s re-election for weeks.
The final vote was 216 for Johnson, 215 for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries and three votes for the other candidates.
The three Republicans who voted for other candidates were Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas.
Although only a handful of Republicans ultimately voted against Johnson, it was still enough to undermine his re-election bid and force multiple rounds of voting.
Now the House will immediately begin voting for the speaker again, this time in a second vote. Voting will continue until Johnson or Democratic leader Jeffries receives a majority of all votes.
U.S. Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to reporters outside his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 3, 2025. He was reelected as Speaker of the House of Representatives on Friday
Before the election, reporters approach Johnson to ask whether he has enough support to be re-elected
However, Johnson was always expected to lose some Republican support.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., declared weeks ahead of the vote that he opposed the chairman’s re-election, meaning just one “no” vote from the Republican party would be enough to damage Johnson’s chances.
Massie voted Friday for Johnson’s replacement, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.
Then Rep. voted. Ralph Norman, R.S.C., Shocks on Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, causing Johnson to lose the vote on the first ballot.
His vote caused the House to pause as members realized they would be forced to start the entire voting process over.
After Norman voted, Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., further exacerbating Johnson’s early vote loss.
Shockingly, even more Republican members initially abstained.
House Freedom Caucus (HFC) Chairman Andy Harris and several other members of the group did not answer when called upon to cast their votes, causing drama in the chamber as members waited on edge to vote. see if they had to go through the lengthy voting process. again.
Representatives Andy Biggs, Andrew Clyde, Michael Cloud, Paul Gosar, Chip Ropy, all members of the HFC besides Harris, did not initially vote.
But later they were called again and all cast their votes for Johnson.
Representatives Chip Roy, Republican of Texas, Ralph Norman, Republican of South Carolina, and Tim Burchett, Republican of Tennessee, speak as Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, looks on during the vote for Speaker of the House of Representatives on the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 3, 2025. Massie and Norman voted against Johnson
Rep. Chip Roy (L) talks to Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) as they arrive for the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol Building on January 3, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Minutes before the vote, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., at
Although Burchett ultimately voted for Johnson, his post was ultimately prophetic.
Just before the vote on Friday, President-elect Trump made it clear to all Republicans in the House of Representatives where he stood in a Truth Social post: ‘Good luck today to Chairman Mike Johnson, a fine man with great abilities, who is very close to 100 % support stands’ .’
“A win for Mike today will be a major win for the Republican Party, and yet another recognition of our 129-year, most consequential presidential election!! – A big confirmation, indeed. MAGA!’
If presidential elections continue, the engine of Congress could block and disrupt Donald Trump’s election certification scheduled for Monday, January 6.
Since the House cannot function without a speaker, if multiple rounds of voting take place over several days, the House may have failed to certify the 2024 election results on time.
Knowing this, Johnson warned the Republican party that they could not afford “palace drama.”
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) is doing his best to retain the presidency despite opposition within his own party as the 119th Congress holds its first session to vote for a new Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Thomas Massie plans to vote against Johnson for chairman today
He also posted on X just before the speaker’s vote a list of promises he would keep to appease GOP members concerned about the federal budget deficit.
One of those promises was to create a group of outside experts who would work with Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut spending.
That’s why Johnson met with conservative members of his conference on Thursday after meeting to hear their concerns and convince them to vote for him.
Republican Reps. Chip Roy, Victoria Spartz, Harris, Biggs, Ralph Norman, Crane and more lawmakers undecided about voting met with the speaker Thursday.
Roy, R-Texas, said Johnson was a good friend but remained undecided until the vote. He has criticized the speaker for his handling of the spending deal to avoid a government shutdown last month.
Spartaz, meanwhile, told reporters who were just leading the vote that she had decided to support Johnson. Although Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., indicated before the vote that there will be multiple rounds of voting on the speakers.
Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., nominated Johnson to become speaker again with a glowing speech.
‘More than fourteen months ago, Mike Johnson took on a difficult task. No speaker is perfect, and no one ever will be. However, achieving perfection requires gradual gains and difficult decisions. None of us are going to get exactly what we want.”
“Mike has remained the same kind and caring person he was before he took on this role… It is my honor to represent our conference’s nominee for Speaker of the House, the Honorable Mike Johnson of the State of Louisiana.”
While her rousing speech wasn’t enough to get all Republicans on board, the party will now force further votes on Johnson’s re-election until a speaker is chosen.