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Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
After inheriting an impossible situation in October, Mike Johnson has proved better at this than many expected.
Why it matters: The House speaker has found ways to turn his tiny majority into an escape hatch, repeatedly reminding everyone that he — and only he — stands in the way of chaos that could sink the GOP's chances in November.
- "I'm the most conservative member who has ever held the gavel as speaker, but the reality of our numbers [is] our challenge," Johnson told Axios in an interview on Thursday.
- "Some of my colleagues want us to throw Hail Mary passes on every play."
In just the last few weeks, Johnson has shown us the playbook that will help him avoid ouster when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) calls a motion to vacate next week.
- Johnson attached himself to former President Trump's hip — with a joint press conference on elections last month. He will also speak at Mar-a-Lago fundraisers this weekend.
- He called Greene's bluff by plowing ahead on Ukraine aid and framing it in nonpartisan terms that allowed Democrats to have his back.
- Johnson seized on the college protests to unify his caucus without alienating too many House Democrats.
- And Johnson marginalized his loudest critics, rather than elevating their status with public repercussions.
Johnson's specific target is Greene, who insists she isn't defying Trump despite the former president saying he stands by the speaker.
- "I'm not sure what goes into Marjorie's analysis," Johnson told Axios.
- "Bless her heart," Johnson told NewsNation about Greene.
- Johnson called next week's vote an "unhelpful distraction" when his party is working to combat antisemitism and seeking to build their majority in November.
The bottom line: Johnson's low-key strategy could come back to bite him.
- His decision to not push for a rules change on the motion to vacate — perhaps because it might have come with Democratic preconditions — leaves him vulnerable to ouster through Election Day.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene promises Mike Johnson ouster attempt next week
Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced she plans to move forward with her motion to vacate against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) next week, calling it "very satisfying" that Democrats will save his gavel on the floor.
Why it matters: Greene acknowledged the pushback she has received from members of her party, telling reporters her colleagues have called on her to "just wait and get through the election," but that she feels they "aren't facing the issues."
Democrats laugh off Greene's plan to force Johnson ouster vote
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) listens as Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) speaks at the Capitol on May 1. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Why it matters: Democrats hope that a resounding defeat for Greene will crush her nascent revolt and discourage right-wing hardliners from continuing to try to throw the House into chaos.
Democrats grudgingly save another Mike Johnson bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Jacob Helberg.
Why it matters: It's a dynamic that will likely take center stage next week when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduces a motion to oust Johnson, which Democrats have promised to defeat.Go deeper (2 min. read)
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