Republican Mike Johnson elected new House speaker, Kevin McCarthy expresses 'full support'
WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Mike Johnson is now the new House speaker after winning against Democrat Hakeem Jeffries.
On Wednesday, October 25, he was elected without losing any GOP votes, ending weeks of party infighting.
The Louisiana lawmaker has openly supported former President Donald Trump and played an important role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.
.@RepMikeJohnson is a friend, fighter, and principled conservative who can get the job done.
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) October 25, 2023
He has my full support as Speaker. We’ll keep working together to put our country first and fulfill our Commitment to America.
Trump endorsed Mike Johnson at the last moment
On November 7, 2020, Johnson posted on X, previously called Twitter, “I have just called President Trump to say this: ‘Stay strong and keep fighting, sir! The nation is depending upon your resolve. We must exhaust every available legal remedy to restore Americans’ trust in the fairness of our election system.’”
Interestingly, Trump, who earlier said he wouldn't support any candidate for the House speaker race, posted on Truth Social on Wednesday.
“In 2024, we will have an even bigger, & more important, WIN! My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!” he wrote.
Johnson bagged 220 votes, while Hakeem got 209 votes. Also, there was unanimous GOP support behind the elected House speaker, reports CNN.
Former speaker Kevin McCarthy reacted to the result and posted on X, “@RepMikeJohnson is a friend, fighter, and principled conservative who can get the job done.”.
“He has my full support as Speaker. We’ll keep working together to put our country first and fulfill our Commitment to America,” he wrote on Wednesday.
Johnson gets the backing of other House leaders
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) expresses support too, “Mike Johnson is a principled, devout, family man who loves and values the Constitution and our Nation. He will change the status quo. Full support.”
Meanwhile, in his first address to the House, Johnson thanked rival Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and former speaker Kevin McCarthy.
"I know we see things from different points of view, but I know in your heart you want to do what's right — so we'll find common ground there," Johnson said on Hakeem.
It is the honor of a lifetime to have been elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) October 25, 2023
Thank you to my colleagues, friends, staff, and family for the unmatched support throughout this process.
It has been an arduous few weeks, and a reminder that the House is as complicated and…
Regarding McCarthy, Johnson said, "Kevin has dedicated over two decades of his life to selfless public service, 16 of those years in this House."
"And you would be hard-pressed to find anybody who loves this institution more or has contributed more to it. He is the reason we're in this majority today. His impact can never be overstated," he added.
The new speaker also gave a shout-out to the "overworked" and "beleaguered" staff of the House.