President-elect Donald Trump reportedly told House Republicans on Wednesday that he backs House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
During a closed meeting on Capitol Hill, Trump said he is with Johnson “all the way,” according to journalists posting to X ahead of GOP leadership elections later in the day.
Trump added, per POLITICO’s Olivia Beavers, “Mike you’re going to have a tremendous year. Tremendous two years.” He also told everyone: “Get it all done. Unify.”
Johnson is running to retain the speaker’s gavel, as the Republicans are projected to maintain a majority in the House via the 2024 election.
The GOP-led House first elected Johnson to be the speaker in October 2023 after then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was cast out of the role.
Johnson grappled with a Democrat-led Senate and President Joe Biden, but the GOP will control the upper chamber and White House in the next session.
“Everybody knows the coattails were enormous,” Trump told House Republicans on Wednesday, Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman reported on X.
“Not only did he win back the majority of the Senate, a 53-seat majority, which is something we can really work with, but he also got us the majority as well,” Trump added.
He continued: “Everybody knows that, and so we owe him a great debt of gratitude. He’s a singular figure in American history.”
Sherman noted Trump also praised House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). Trump emphasized: “All of you just stick together.”
Trump selected House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as U.N. ambassador. Members will vote to pick her successor as the No. 3 House Republican later in the day.
POLITICO reported on Tuesday that the conservative House Freedom Caucus had backed off a plan to put up a challenger against Johnson in the race for speaker.
Instead, the outlet noted, they decided to pursue an internal vote on Johnson’s speakership through a secret ballot process in lieu of a voice vote.
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It was not immediately clear whether Trump throwing his support behind Johnson would cause House Republicans to rally behind Johnson.
A full House election on the speakership is expected in January. Multiple votes are possible if a majority cannot be reached.
In his letter to fellow GOP lawmakers seeking their report, Johnson listed a number of policy priorities in line with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda.
“The mandate that has been delivered shows that a majority of Americans are eager for secure borders, lower costs, peace through strength, and a return to common sense,” he said.
“With unified Republican government, if we meet this historic moment together, the next two years can result in the most consequential Congress of the modern era,” Johnson added.