President-elect Donald Trump is taking a proactive approach to avoid a prolonged speaker fight in the House ahead of his inauguration. Multiple sources familiar with his thinking have revealed that Trump has been making direct calls to lawmakers and allies to ensure the success of House Speaker Mike Johnson in the upcoming election.
Trump, who was displeased with the chaos that ensued during Kevin McCarthy's speakership battle, has endorsed Johnson and is actively working to secure the necessary votes for him. He has expressed confidence in Johnson's ability to lead and has emphasized the importance of swiftly resolving the speaker's election to avoid party infighting overshadowing the lead-up to his inauguration.
Despite being informed that Johnson may face challenges in securing votes, Trump has publicly shown support for the speaker and urged fellow Republicans to unite behind him. He has indicated a willingness to make calls on Johnson's behalf if needed and has been seeking advice from various sources on how to ensure Johnson's success.
One of the potential holdouts that Trump has agreed to call is Texas Rep. Chip Roy, who has expressed reservations about supporting Johnson. However, Trump remains optimistic that Johnson will secure a successful vote and has been actively working towards that goal.
Trump's focus on supporting Johnson and avoiding internal party conflicts reflects his desire to maintain a cohesive Republican front leading up to his inauguration. By prioritizing unity within the party, Trump aims to shift the attention away from internal disputes and towards his upcoming presidency.
