WASHINGTON – In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana has been elected as the 56th speaker of the House. This comes after more than three weeks of dysfunction and chaos on Capitol Hill. Johnson, a conservative ally of Donald Trump, is now second in line to the presidency. Despite his affable nature, Johnson is considered the most ideologically conservative speaker since Newt Gingrich in the 1990s and played a significant role in the GOP’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. In a display of unity, all 220 Republicans voted for Johnson, while all 209 Democrats voted for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
Johnson addressed the House chamber, proclaiming that the lawmakers were back to their duty stations and that the people’s House was back in business. His election represents a temporary ceasefire in the GOP civil war that began when Rep. Matt Gaetz and seven other GOP rebels teamed up with Democrats to remove Kevin McCarthy from the speaker’s office. With the government shutdown and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East looming, Johnson will have to work diligently to fund the government and deliver aid packages to U.S. allies.
The GOP’s process of selecting a new speaker was reminiscent of the arcade game whack-a-mole. After a series of failed attempts, Johnson managed to unite the fractured party through good timing, conservatism, and a pleasant demeanor. Fellow Republicans described him as a man without enemies and a rare beacon of unity in Washington.
As the seventh-ranking Republican on the leadership team, Johnson’s rise from a low-level post to speaker is rare. He has a history of close ties to both Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan, serving as chair of the conservative Republican Study Committee and leading the GOP’s efforts to contest the 2020 election results.
In his acceptance speech, Johnson emphasized the importance of unity and overcoming adversity. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also highlighted the challenges faced by American democracy, including the January 6th insurrection, but expressed confidence that the country would prevail.
Overall, Johnson’s election marks a significant turning point for the GOP and sets the stage for his leadership in the coming months.
