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**House Speaker Mike Johnson Retains Speakership After Dramatic Turn of Events**
In a chaotic episode in the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, the Republican from Louisiana, narrowly retained his speakership on Friday after a dramatic turn of events. The vote, which saw Johnson appear to be within two votes of losing, was averted after a phone call from President-elect Donald Trump to two Republican opponents, Ralph Norman of North Carolina and Keith Self of Texas.
According to sources, Trump directly called Norman and Self on speakerphone, persuading them to switch their votes to Johnson. The call was said to have been a minutes-long conversation during which Trump emphasized the importance of supporting Johnson, citing his likability factor and the need for a Republican trifecta in Washington.
The vote was initially looking shaky for Johnson, with three Republicans voting against him and five hardline conservatives delaying their votes. However, after Norman and Self switched sides, Johnson secured the necessary 218 votes to retain the speakership.
The dramatic turn of events highlighted the fragility of the Republican majority in the House, with the party leading Democrats 219-215. The upcoming special elections for Trump’s seats will further reduce their margin, making it a challenge for the president-elect to unite all House Republicans to pass key parts of his legislative agenda, including tough immigration reform, new tariffs, and tax cuts and spending cuts.
The event also underscored the significant role that Trump will play in shaping the Republican agenda in Congress. As the incoming chief of staff, Suzy White Suzy Wiles was seen on the phone with Johnson during the vote, further indicating the close relationship between Trump and Johnson.
In a statement, the House Freedom Caucus said they supported Johnson despite their reservations about his record, citing their loyalty to Trump as the reason for their support.
**FAQs**
Q: Who is Mike Johnson and why is he important?
A: Mike Johnson is a Republican congressman from Louisiana who was elected as the Speaker of the House after a dramatic turn of events on Friday.
Q: What was the vote margin that Johnson needed to retain the speakership?
A: Johnson needed 218 votes to retain the speakership, which he secured after Norman and Self switched their votes.
Q: Who were Norman and Self, and why did they switch their votes?
A: Ralph Norman of North Carolina and Keith Self of Texas were two Republicans who initially voted against Johnson but were persuaded by a phone call from President-elect Donald Trump to switch their votes.
Q: What was the significance of the vote for the Republican majority in the House?
A: The vote highlighted the fragility of the Republican majority, which is currently leading Democrats 219-215. The upcoming special elections for Trump’s seats will further reduce their margin.
Q: What is the impact of the vote on Trump’s legislative agenda?
A: The vote makes it more challenging for Trump to unite all House Republicans to pass key parts of his legislative agenda, including tough immigration reform, new tariffs, and tax cuts and spending cuts.
Q: What role did President-elect Trump play in the vote?
A: Trump directly called Norman and Self on speakerphone, persuading them to switch their votes in favor of Johnson.
**Conclusion**
The vote on Friday was a dramatic turning point in the speaker election, with President-elect Trump playing a crucial role in securing the votes needed for Johnson to retain the speakership. The fragility of the Republican majority in the House highlights the challenges that Trump will face in uniting his party to pass key parts of his legislative agenda. As Trump prepares to take office, thedynamic between him and the House will be closely watched, and the outcome of the vote will have far-reaching implications for the Republican agenda in the coming months.
