President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Speaker Mike Johnson has his “complete” and “total” endorsement, a major boost for the top House Republican ahead of a critical vote this week.
Trump’s endorsement comes as some House conservatives have warned they are not committed to backing Johnson in the speaker’s race. The President-elect’s endorsement could help Johnson lock down the votes he will need, especially after he navigated a chaotic government funding fight earlier this month that drew the ire of some members of his right flank.
But Johnson faces an extraordinary narrow margin and can only lose a single Republican vote to still win the gavel, leaving little room for error. One House Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie, has already said he doesn’t plan to vote for Johnson, and the Kentucky Republicans told CNN on Monday that Trump’s endorsement does not change his position.
Members had been preparing for a Trump endorsement, one source told CNN. But the same source warned that it may not be enough.
Johnson allies are keeping close tabs on members who have not committed to backing him yet, including Rep. Victoria Spartz.
The source told CNN that Spartz is viewed as unpredictable and that there are “also six or seven other members” who similarly remain wildcards.
Over the last several weeks, Johnson’s deputies have launched an expansive whip operation, but there are still intense challenges to getting Johnson to 218 votes – the magic number needed to win the gavel.
