Investing.com -- President-elect Donald Trump has given his full endorsement to Speaker Mike Johnson, in an effort to prevent a potential leadership dispute in the House that could hinder his second-term plans. Trump expressed his support for Johnson on his Truth Social network on Monday.
Trump’s endorsement comes as the House is set to vote for the speaker position on January 3. Despite no official challenger to Johnson having emerged, some Republicans have expressed concern that a contest for the role could delay the implementation of Trump’s policy initiatives and even the confirmation of his election win. The Republican party is expected to hold a slim majority in the incoming House.
Johnson has been the subject of criticism from ultraconservative legislators for supporting a temporary spending agreement that did not fulfill Trump’s request for an increase to the US debt ceiling.
Trump’s backing follows a call from a senior Republican lawmaker on Sunday for the president-elect to intervene and help avoid a battle for the speakership.
"Five Republicans won’t commit to voting for Mike Johnson — and he can only afford to lose one or two votes," stated House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. Comer added that he would "strongly encourage" Trump to persuade those members to vote for Johnson.
In his endorsement, Trump stated, “The American people need immediate relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration. Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to win.”
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