Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump are prepared to appear together at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, according to two people familiar with the plans.
The comparison comes as Trump, the GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee, expands his influence on legislative Republican policymaking. And as Johnson grapples with the consequences for his legislative program. Earlier Wednesday, Trump pushed Republican lawmakers to “KILL” a wiretapping bill that Johnson is still hoping to pass by the end of the week, despite growing conservative opposition.
Johnson faces job threats from his right wing, as well as scrutiny on his handling of thorny topics in a tight Republican majority, such as a military aid package for Ukraine and other US allies that has been stalled for months, despite his promises to support increased Ukraine aid.
Johnson is under significant pressure from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., another Trump loyalist, who has vowed to force a vote on a resolution to remove him over Ukraine money. Greene, who believes that congressional attention and funds should be directed at the southern border rather than Ukraine, filed a “motion to vacate” to depose Johnson last month but did not force a vote on his removal.
Before being elected speaker, Johnson supported Trump’s false accusations of massive election fraud in the 2020 presidential election and took legal action to overturn President Joe Biden’s election victory. In December 2020, Johnson led an amicus brief signed by over 100 House Republicans in support of a Texas lawsuit attempting to reverse Biden’s victories in four crucial states.