The Method of Mike Johnson
The beleaguered speaker sought the support of the president-elect to eliminate his opponents. It was successful — for now.
TroibNews 
Speaker Mike Johnson found himself at Mar-a-Lago on New Year's Day, discussing legislative strategies with President-elect Donald Trump. The discussion soon shifted to the conservative hardliners within the party, particularly Rep. Chip Roy, who posed a potential obstacle to their agenda.
Roy, a Texas Republican, had already caused trouble for both men. He supported Trump's rival Ron DeSantis during the presidential primaries and recently opposed a debt-ceiling increase that Trump had publicly advocated. Openly expressing his desire for a new speaker, Roy had even threatened to obstruct Johnson’s election set for Jan. 3, which could have delayed the certification of Trump’s victory a few days later.
Let’s call him now, Johnson suggested to Trump.
With Johnson, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and several aides present during the call, Trump made it clear he needed Roy to not only back his agenda but also support Johnson’s election. When Roy voiced concerns about Trump criticizing him on social media during the debt-ceiling debate, Trump agreed to hold back—if Roy cooperated.
“I need your vote here, Chip,” Trump communicated during the call, according to those familiar with the conversation. “You’ve got to be with me.”
This call marked a pivotal moment in Johnson’s challenging attempt to secure the speaker's position. Just two days later, Roy reluctantly voted for Johnson, while Trump made a final push to sway two other holdouts, solidifying his victory.
After encountering difficulties in 2024—specifically a failed spending deal with Democrats that angered both House conservatives and Trump ally Elon Musk—Johnson found himself with the support of Trump, a powerful ally, as they shared space in the "Winter White House."
However, this victory served as a reminder of the tenuousness of Johnson's power and the extent to which he relied on Trump.
Interviewed sources close to Trump indicated that the former president intervened on Johnson's behalf primarily to protect his administration's agenda. Trump had grown convinced that no one else could secure the necessary votes quickly, as reiterated by several anonymous Trump confidants who shared insights into the speaker race dynamics.
“This is not just a leadership battle. It's a presidential succession battle,” remarked one Trump insider, citing the significant disruption a delay could cause to the Jan. 6 certification of Trump’s victory.
“The president wants people to unify, play on the same team and fall in behind the agenda that got him elected, retained the House and put the Senate majority in power,” argued another insider. “Why blow a once in a generation opportunity on sideshows?”
All sources indicated that Trump recognized the tricky situation Johnson faced as leader of a historically slim majority, but his patience was wearing thin. “The president's expectation by supporting him for speaker is that he's going to deliver the agenda,” noted one individual.
Johnson’s ongoing efforts to align with Trump had been unfolding for months leading up to Friday’s vote. After stepping into the leadership vacuum left by Kevin McCarthy's ousting in October 2023, Johnson needed to prove his loyalty to Trump and his inner circle.
Initially, Johnson's actions did not leave the best impression. Supporting a significant Ukraine aid package against the desires of the America-first faction raised eyebrows among Trump allies, who questioned his judgment.
“Was it really necessary for Mike Johnson to give a quote saying, ‘I'm willing to lose my speakership over Ukraine funding’?” remarked one commentator, referring to Johnson's public statements. “Did you think through the long-term damage that single quote has probably caused Mike Johnson with the base?”
Nevertheless, Johnson maintained regular communication with Trump, openly indicating his frequent contacts and praising him publicly. Throughout the debate on Ukraine funding, Johnson sought Trump’s advice on how to ease the bill's passage, eventually deciding to convert part of the funds into a loan, a move that Trump never openly criticized.
As the election neared, Johnson's demeanor became increasingly aligned with Trump’s style. He became more combative with journalists and even filmed himself during a pre-taped interview for “Face the Nation,” subsequently accusing the show of manipulating the footage. Trump praised this approach.
Johnson adjusted his legislative strategies to accommodate Trump’s preferences while also educating him on the realities of managing the House. During a funding standoff in September, Johnson complied with Trump’s desires by tying legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from voting to a crucial spending bill.
After a package failed due to pushback from some of Johnson's own MAGA allies, Trump intervened with a phone call to sway those members but later expressed frustration when moderates resisted the prospect of a government shutdown.
“You’ve got a hard job—I don’t envy you, Mike,” was Trump’s acknowledgment of Johnson’s challenges.
With another funding deadline approaching last month, Johnson attempted a similar strategy to push through a debt-ceiling increase aligned with Trump's demands. However, Trump’s patience waned when 38 Republicans broke ranks, leading him to consider whether to distance himself from Johnson.
While Trump mulled over these frustrations, Johnson’s supporters, including former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Sen. Ted Cruz, rallied to his defense.
Ultimately, the strongest arguments supporting Johnson within Trump’s inner circle revolved not around his personality or legislative skill but on his ability to gather votes.
“The reality is: there's no one else,” averred one insider. “There wasn’t another option here.”
As speculation circled about whether Rep. Jim Jordan could rally the near-unanimous GOP support required, Trump concluded he could not, lamenting, “he has like 35 people that will never vote for the guy,” according to a source present.
Once the holiday tension subsided, Johnson personally sought Trump's renewed endorsement. Trump swiftly took to Truth Social to emphasize the urgency of unity: “LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.”
With Trump’s endorsement firmly in place, Johnson faced less resistance from his detractors.
Leveraging Trump's endorsement, Johnson drew firm lines in negotiations, refusing to make concessions regarding committee assignments or scheduling, effectively sidelining Roy’s aspirations for the Rules Committee chair position.
As the voting progressed on Friday, Johnson's aides sensed victory when many holdouts appeared reluctant to cast their ballots. Ultimately, all—including Roy—voted in favor of Johnson as the clerks revisited the members' names again.
However, three hard-liners had initially voted for another candidate, and Johnson needed to sway two to secure an immediate victory. Trump intervened once more.
Rep. Nancy Mace connected Trump on the phone with Rep. Ralph Norman, who had voted for Jordan.
“Look, Ralph, I like Jim Jordan, too—I love him more than you do,” Trump asserted from the golf course. “Mike is the only one who can win. Get in a room and work it out.”
After intense lobbying just off the House floor, even as Johnson assured Norman and Rep. Keith Self that conservatives would have a voice on major legislation, Mace advocated for Trump’s prerogative in selecting the speaker.
Still connected via speakerphone, Trump lauded his “landslide victory” while lamenting Republican divisions compared to unity among Democrats. “We got one opportunity,” he insisted. “Mike's my guy.”
Minutes later, they returned to the floor, and Norman and Self changed their votes to Johnson.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
Roy, a Texas Republican, had already caused trouble for both men. He supported Trump's rival Ron DeSantis during the presidential primaries and recently opposed a debt-ceiling increase that Trump had publicly advocated. Openly expressing his desire for a new speaker, Roy had even threatened to obstruct Johnson’s election set for Jan. 3, which could have delayed the certification of Trump’s victory a few days later.
Let’s call him now, Johnson suggested to Trump.
With Johnson, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and several aides present during the call, Trump made it clear he needed Roy to not only back his agenda but also support Johnson’s election. When Roy voiced concerns about Trump criticizing him on social media during the debt-ceiling debate, Trump agreed to hold back—if Roy cooperated.
“I need your vote here, Chip,” Trump communicated during the call, according to those familiar with the conversation. “You’ve got to be with me.”
This call marked a pivotal moment in Johnson’s challenging attempt to secure the speaker's position. Just two days later, Roy reluctantly voted for Johnson, while Trump made a final push to sway two other holdouts, solidifying his victory.
After encountering difficulties in 2024—specifically a failed spending deal with Democrats that angered both House conservatives and Trump ally Elon Musk—Johnson found himself with the support of Trump, a powerful ally, as they shared space in the "Winter White House."
However, this victory served as a reminder of the tenuousness of Johnson's power and the extent to which he relied on Trump.
Interviewed sources close to Trump indicated that the former president intervened on Johnson's behalf primarily to protect his administration's agenda. Trump had grown convinced that no one else could secure the necessary votes quickly, as reiterated by several anonymous Trump confidants who shared insights into the speaker race dynamics.
“This is not just a leadership battle. It's a presidential succession battle,” remarked one Trump insider, citing the significant disruption a delay could cause to the Jan. 6 certification of Trump’s victory.
“The president wants people to unify, play on the same team and fall in behind the agenda that got him elected, retained the House and put the Senate majority in power,” argued another insider. “Why blow a once in a generation opportunity on sideshows?”
All sources indicated that Trump recognized the tricky situation Johnson faced as leader of a historically slim majority, but his patience was wearing thin. “The president's expectation by supporting him for speaker is that he's going to deliver the agenda,” noted one individual.
Johnson’s ongoing efforts to align with Trump had been unfolding for months leading up to Friday’s vote. After stepping into the leadership vacuum left by Kevin McCarthy's ousting in October 2023, Johnson needed to prove his loyalty to Trump and his inner circle.
Initially, Johnson's actions did not leave the best impression. Supporting a significant Ukraine aid package against the desires of the America-first faction raised eyebrows among Trump allies, who questioned his judgment.
“Was it really necessary for Mike Johnson to give a quote saying, ‘I'm willing to lose my speakership over Ukraine funding’?” remarked one commentator, referring to Johnson's public statements. “Did you think through the long-term damage that single quote has probably caused Mike Johnson with the base?”
Nevertheless, Johnson maintained regular communication with Trump, openly indicating his frequent contacts and praising him publicly. Throughout the debate on Ukraine funding, Johnson sought Trump’s advice on how to ease the bill's passage, eventually deciding to convert part of the funds into a loan, a move that Trump never openly criticized.
As the election neared, Johnson's demeanor became increasingly aligned with Trump’s style. He became more combative with journalists and even filmed himself during a pre-taped interview for “Face the Nation,” subsequently accusing the show of manipulating the footage. Trump praised this approach.
Johnson adjusted his legislative strategies to accommodate Trump’s preferences while also educating him on the realities of managing the House. During a funding standoff in September, Johnson complied with Trump’s desires by tying legislation to prevent illegal immigrants from voting to a crucial spending bill.
After a package failed due to pushback from some of Johnson's own MAGA allies, Trump intervened with a phone call to sway those members but later expressed frustration when moderates resisted the prospect of a government shutdown.
“You’ve got a hard job—I don’t envy you, Mike,” was Trump’s acknowledgment of Johnson’s challenges.
With another funding deadline approaching last month, Johnson attempted a similar strategy to push through a debt-ceiling increase aligned with Trump's demands. However, Trump’s patience waned when 38 Republicans broke ranks, leading him to consider whether to distance himself from Johnson.
While Trump mulled over these frustrations, Johnson’s supporters, including former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Sen. Ted Cruz, rallied to his defense.
Ultimately, the strongest arguments supporting Johnson within Trump’s inner circle revolved not around his personality or legislative skill but on his ability to gather votes.
“The reality is: there's no one else,” averred one insider. “There wasn’t another option here.”
As speculation circled about whether Rep. Jim Jordan could rally the near-unanimous GOP support required, Trump concluded he could not, lamenting, “he has like 35 people that will never vote for the guy,” according to a source present.
Once the holiday tension subsided, Johnson personally sought Trump's renewed endorsement. Trump swiftly took to Truth Social to emphasize the urgency of unity: “LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.”
With Trump’s endorsement firmly in place, Johnson faced less resistance from his detractors.
Leveraging Trump's endorsement, Johnson drew firm lines in negotiations, refusing to make concessions regarding committee assignments or scheduling, effectively sidelining Roy’s aspirations for the Rules Committee chair position.
As the voting progressed on Friday, Johnson's aides sensed victory when many holdouts appeared reluctant to cast their ballots. Ultimately, all—including Roy—voted in favor of Johnson as the clerks revisited the members' names again.
However, three hard-liners had initially voted for another candidate, and Johnson needed to sway two to secure an immediate victory. Trump intervened once more.
Rep. Nancy Mace connected Trump on the phone with Rep. Ralph Norman, who had voted for Jordan.
“Look, Ralph, I like Jim Jordan, too—I love him more than you do,” Trump asserted from the golf course. “Mike is the only one who can win. Get in a room and work it out.”
After intense lobbying just off the House floor, even as Johnson assured Norman and Rep. Keith Self that conservatives would have a voice on major legislation, Mace advocated for Trump’s prerogative in selecting the speaker.
Still connected via speakerphone, Trump lauded his “landslide victory” while lamenting Republican divisions compared to unity among Democrats. “We got one opportunity,” he insisted. “Mike's my guy.”
Minutes later, they returned to the floor, and Norman and Self changed their votes to Johnson.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
