Photo: Mike Johnson and Donald Trump
Former President Donald Trump has come out in support of House Speaker Mike Johnson in an attempt to show unity as Johnson grapples with opponents within a fractured Republican majority .
"He does a very good job in very difficult conditions,"– Trump said at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Reuters reported.
Johnson received the speaker's gavel in a weeks-long fight after a group of hard-liners among House Republicans orchestrated his removal predecessor Kevin McCarthy.
One hardliner, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, has threatened Johnson with a similar move if he brings to a vote more aid to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion. Greene also spoke out against the surveillance bill approved by the House on Friday.
Trump called Greene his friend but expressed clear disapproval of her threat to unseat Johnson.
"Sad. that people are bringing this up because we have much bigger problems right now– he said. – I think [Johnson] does a very good job. It works as well as you do. I'm sure Marjorie understands this. She is my very good friend. And I know she has great respect for the Speaker.”.
After the Trump-Johnson press conference, Greene wrote on social media X that she supported Trump but did not support Johnson. She made no mention of her threat to force a vote to remove Johnson as speaker.
Appearing alongside Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, could help Johnson strengthen his position in the House with a fragile Republican majority. His party members have repeatedly torpedoed the speaker's legislative priorities. For example, a surveillance bill was temporarily blocked this week, and in February it took two attempts to approve two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – the top official in the Joe Biden administration responsible for border security.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga