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President-elect Donald Trump cited “common sense” in his endorsement of House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In the run-up to the election of the Speaker of the House, as the 119th Congress kicks off this week, Johnson got the “Complete & Total” endorsement of the incoming 47th president, prompting former Rep. Matt Gaetz to declare that any “resistance” to that decision “is now futile.”
Johnson has been on the receiving end of his GOP colleagues for working with Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill to avoid a government shutdown. The Louisiana Republican may not have won many of them over but has enjoyed Trump’s support and now has received a strong vote of confidence from the president-elect.
Thank you, President Trump! I’m honored and humbled by your support, as always.
Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America.
The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/ljGrB08dRh
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 30, 2024
Trump called the GOP “the Party of COMMON SENSE,” but also gave lawmakers a warning in his Truth Social post on Monday.
“We ran a flawless campaign, having spent FAR LESS, with lots of money left over. They ran a very expensive ‘sinking ship,’ embracing DOJ & FBI WEAPONIZATION against their political opponent, ME. BUT IT DIDN’T WORK, IT WAS A DISASTER!!!” Trump wrote, adding: “LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.”
“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,” Trump wrote. “He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!”
Johnson thanked Trump on X and promised, “Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America.”
Despite the GOP infighting over Johnson and who could replace him as speaker, many saw the handwriting on the wall once Trump weighed in.
“Trump endorsing Johnson is ‘art of the deal’ level practicality,” Gaetz wrote in a post on X, referring to Trump’s 1987 business advice book.
“We could never have held up McCarthy two years ago for concessions if a Trump certification hung in the balance. Now, it does,” Gaetz, who stepped down from his House seat representing Florida before being nominated by Trump for Attorney General.
Gaetz eventually withdrew his name from consideration during a wave of negative reporting and media attacks amid an ethics investigation. The former congressman led the charge to oust then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy in his short-lived career as speaker.
Trump endorsing Johnson is “art of the deal” level practicality.
We could never have held up McCarthy two years ago for concessions if a Trump certification hung in the balance. Now, it does.
We were able to hold up McCarthy because Republican voters weren’t all that eager…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 30, 2024
“Let’s work to make him the best version of himself (which was more like the 2023 vintage of Mike),” Gaetz said of Johnson.
Some X users had their doubts and others warned Johnson to follow Trump’s lead.
You better not let us down. Only person you take orders form is Trump. Do you understand?
— Patty (@pattyisright) December 30, 2024
Do the right thing.
For the will of the people.
Not for the will of your RINO buddies.Your every motion is being closely watched by
77.2 million voters.— ANTI-RINO (@Anna1555269) December 30, 2024
Trump just took the heat off of you. It won’t last if you can’t find a way to force his agenda through.
— drunk_surfer (@drunksurfer95) December 30, 2024
Many other X users agreed with Gaetz, calling on a united front to back Trump and his decisions.
The leader has spoken. No one agrees with their boss 100% of the time, but one the decision has been made, our job is to support him and succeed in the Battle.
— David (@RealDavid72) December 30, 2024
It’s necessary and we all need to follow Trump’s lead. Otherwise we are guilty of just what we are accusing RINO’s of. Tell me how I’m wrong.
— Jay (@BigJTA) December 30, 2024
I voted for Trump bc I trust him to make sound decisions. I’m not a Mike Johnson fan but I’m also not in meetings with President-elect Trump. I’ll leave it there.
— Christine Cain (@ChristineC84292) December 30, 2024
Everyone can judge how they want. You don’t know any as to why Trump endorsed him. There is a reason. Don’t crush the momentum with BS. The more we fight, the more we lose.
— True American (@nomorednc) December 30, 2024
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