Thomas Massie Needs Backup to Remove Mike Johnson
WASHINGTON—Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) has spent much of his dozen years in Congress waging lonely political crusades while working as a behind-the-scenes tactician in fights over Republican leadership and spending. The 53-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineering graduate now has his moment in the spotlight. On Friday, the libertarian lawmaker plans to vote against handing the gavel back to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), a step that threatens Johnson’s speakership and has put Massie crosswise with GOP colleagues and President-elect Donald Trump.
Will Mike Johnson Get Reelected As Speaker? Johnson Faces Right-Wing Pushback—Despite Trump And Musk’s Endorsements
The House is set to vote Friday on whether to re-elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as speaker—and while President-elect Donald Trump’s endorsement should pave the way to his re-election, a small group of Republicans are noncommittal, raising the possibility for a drawn out election process that could delay the start of the 119th Congress.
If the House does not elect a speaker by Jan. 6, the date it’s scheduled to certify the results of the November election, it could delay the certification process until a new speaker is elected. The House can not officially begin any business until a new speaker is elected.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a key Trump ally, has also endorsed Johnson, writing on X in response to Massie’s post that it was a “bad idea” for Trump to back Johnson “you might be right, but let’s see how it goes.”
Johnson was elected speaker in October last year after a three-week vacancy following the unprecedented ouster of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. in a far-right mutiny. Johnson has grown closer to Trump since becoming speaker and will play a key role in spearheading Congress’ role in installing Trump’s second-term agenda. Massie, considered a fringe figure in the GOP, believes Johnson is “not that good” at helping push Trump’s priorities through the House, he told the Wall Street Journal, citing last month’s government spending fight in which 38 Republicans voted against the Trump-endorsed legislation Johnson put forward.
Mike Johnson Wins House Speaker Election—Ending Historic Three-Week GOP Impasse (Forbes)
Thomas Massie Needs Backup to Remove Mike Johnson (Wall Street Journal)
Johnson allies warn that a speakership battle could delay Trump’s victory certification (CNN)
