Republican Mike Johnson was reelected House speaker on Friday, narrowly winning a showdown with his party's right-flank after a last-minute assist from President-elect Donald Trump. Johnson was handed the gavel after a dramatic vote that saw the Louisiana native on track to lose on the first ballot minutes before two Republican lawmakers approached the desk and changed their stance following what one called a "lively discussion" with Trump. Speaking after the victory, Johnson pledged to implement Trump's "American First" agenda.
"The American people have called on us to reject business as usual and throw out the status quo," he said. "We must and we will heed their call." Johnson entered the U.
S. Capitol on Friday morning facing more than a dozen undecided Republican members. He had spent the day before meeting with the possible detractors in his office, and expressed confidence he would be successful but brushed off the broader implications if he were to lose on the first try.
Moments before the roll call vote began, Johnson publicly released new commitments on spending and fiscal responsibility seemingly aimed at satisfying some of his skeptical colleagues, many of whom were angered over his handling of the government funding fight before Christmas. The move appeared to bode well for Johnson as the vote kicked off and several previously undecided Republicans cast their vote for him. But trouble began when some House Freedom Caucus members withheld their votes at first, not .
