Mike Johnson Re-elected as House Speaker

Mike Johnson was re-elected as Speaker of the House on Friday, though his victory was marked by initial opposition from several Republicans, including Reps. Keith Self and Ralph Norman, who switched their votes after discussions and an outreach from President-elect Donald Trump. Johnson initially secured 216 votes while 215 were cast for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, but his bid was saved when Norman and Self changed their votes mid-ballot following assurances from Johnson and Trump's involvement. This contrasts sharply with the lengthy battle faced by his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, in securing the speakership. While Johnson retained the role, the defections signal a potential division within the Republican ranks, as some members express dissatisfaction with his leadership. The threshold for triggering a motion to vacate the speakership has been raised from one to nine members, complicating any future efforts to remove him. These dynamics illustrate the challenges Johnson may face in unifying a diverse Republican conference moving forward.