Trump says he thinks Johnson has the votes to get confirmed

President-elect Trump firmly believes House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will get a second term.

“No one else can get the votes,” he told reporters Tuesday.

On Monday, Trump offered Johnson his complete and total endorsement, just days before a House vote on Friday to elect a new Speaker.

His comments echo those of former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who questioned Republicans opposing Johnson on the social platform X earlier in the day.

“I do not understand what the CONTRARIAN house republicans think they will gain by opposing Speaker Mike Johnson,” Gingrich wrote.

“They have no one who can get more votes. They risk crippling President Trump’s electoral win on Jan. 6. They are in effect allies of the Democrats,” he added.

Johnson has faced anger from GOP members about how he's handled various issues, including the end-of-year funding package to keep the government open. Some House Republicans, including Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), question his ability to lead the party amidst a trifecta in the Senate and White House.

Johnson can afford only one Republican defection in Friday's Speaker election, assuming all members are present and voting for a candidate. The House’s incoming 215 Democrats are all expected to vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Republicans are expected to have 219 members in attendance that day.

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