President-elect Trump showed that his endorsement carries weight on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans coalesced around a new Speaker on the first ballot.
Key Facts:
• Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) won the gavel on the initial vote with Trump’s backing.
• Some Republicans, including Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Keith Self (R-Texas), switched their votes after calls with Trump.
• Critics had questioned Trump’s hold on House Republicans, given recent disagreements over spending bills and the debt ceiling.
• Trump shared his support through phone calls, private meetings, and posts on social media.
• The new Speaker faces immediate tasks related to certifying Trump’s election and setting the Republican agenda.
The Rest of The Story:
Ahead of Friday’s vote, some conservatives were uncertain about supporting Mike Johnson for Speaker.
They had demanded that future legislative efforts address their calls for greater spending restrictions.
Despite that tension, President-elect Trump stood firmly behind Johnson, reaching out personally to lawmakers who opposed or hesitated to back him.
With just three Republicans voting against Johnson at first, the incoming president took an active role by phoning key lawmakers.
In meetings off the House floor, Trump urged them to unite, suggesting that continued delays would hamper the party’s ability to quickly install its new leadership before Inauguration Day.
After further discussion and assurances from Johnson about his approach to legislation, the holdouts cast their votes in his favor.
Trump’s influence was evident as he helped bring Republicans together.
Although some lawmakers downplayed the phone calls as a sole deciding factor, the conversation with Trump occurred right before the final tally.
The episode provided a strong example of how he can still move votes, even after certain members broke with him during the government funding battle.
Now that Johnson has assumed the Speakership, he is tasked with paving the way for Trump’s agenda.
Republicans hold a narrow margin in the House and will need to work together to address spending priorities, along with other policy goals that Trump has championed.
The quick resolution also ensures the House is prepared to proceed with plans for Trump’s next term.
The Bottom Line:
Trump’s behind-the-scenes outreach helped secure a one-ballot victory for the new Speaker.
This outcome signals the president-elect’s enduring leverage among Republicans, even after disagreements over recent legislation.
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The House, led by Speaker Johnson, is now set to manage both routine duties and Trump’s policy ambitions.