House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has made it clear that Democrats will not be coming to the aid of House Speaker Mike Johnson if his own Republican colleagues turn against him once again. Jeffries expressed his frustration over the recent botched spending deal and criticized Johnson (R-La.) for his handling of the situation. He accused the Republican Speaker of damaging relations with Democrats, warning that there would be no Democratic support to rescue him or the far-right MAGA Republicans if another revolt were to occur.
During an interview on “Inside with Jen Psaki,” Jeffries raised concerns about the possibility of a new GOP mutiny against Johnson and stressed that Democrats would not intervene in such a scenario. Last week, Johnson faced backlash from conservative members of his party over a lengthy government funding bill, leading to its eventual collapse. The legislation included various spending measures that drew criticism from Republican detractors, as well as public figures such as President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and entrepreneur Elon Musk, who urged Republicans to reject the deal.
Ultimately, Johnson withdrew the bill and instead presented a scaled-down stopgap measure for a vote, disregarding the lack of consultation with Democratic leaders. Following its failure, Johnson eventually reached a last-minute agreement with Democrats to keep the government operational through mid-March. Despite facing challenges within his own GOP caucus, Johnson remains confident about his position as Speaker, downplaying concerns of a potential revolt during the upcoming speaker’s race next year.
Reflecting on the tumultuous path that led to Johnson’s ascension as Speaker, it is evident that his leadership has been met with internal discord and opposition. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz played a pivotal role in orchestrating a mutiny that ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, paving the way for Johnson to assume the role. However, Johnson’s journey to power was marred by multiple attempts and a record number of votes before he finally secured the speakership.
In May, Democrats came to Johnson’s defense when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a motion to remove him from his position following his decision to address aid for Ukraine. Now, as Johnson navigates the aftermath of a contentious government shutdown battle, he faces the challenge of retaining support within the GOP ranks ahead of the next speaker’s election in 2025. Amidst uncertainty and internal strife, Johnson must navigate a complex political landscape to solidify his leadership and address the pressing issues facing the House of Representatives.
