Speaker Johnson may not be in power for long.
Democrats have made it clear that they won’t come to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s rescue if the Republican Party turns on him again, according to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The New York Democrat, still seething over last week’s chaotic government funding negotiations, accused Johnson of alienating potential Democratic allies, leaving him vulnerable to future GOP dissent.
Jeffries, speaking on Inside with Jen Psaki, warned that there was a real possibility of another Republican revolt against Johnson. He emphasized that, should the GOP once again turn against their leader, Democrats would not be there to help him. “There won’t be any Democrats to save him — or the extreme MAGA Republicans — from themselves,” Jeffries declared.
Last week’s fiasco started when Johnson tried to broker a deal to prevent a government shutdown. However, his plan quickly unraveled when conservative Republicans objected to the 1,500-page spending bill, criticizing its excessive length and additional spending measures. High-profile figures like President Donald Trump, Senator JD Vance, and tech mogul Elon Musk weighed in, urging Republicans to reject the proposal.
In the face of growing opposition, Johnson pulled the original bill and presented a slimmed-down stopgap measure. However, this new proposal also faced backlash, with Democrats accusing Johnson of bypassing them entirely in the negotiation process. In the end, Johnson was forced to reach a compromise with Democrats, keeping the government funded through mid-March, but leaving many in the GOP frustrated.
The failure of this latest funding deal only adds to the challenges Johnson faces as Speaker. His rise to the position was already marked by internal GOP chaos, including the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. Johnson’s leadership was solidified after 15 rounds of voting, highlighting the fractured state of the Republican Party.
Now, as the GOP braces for another round of elections, Johnson faces mounting pressure to keep his party united. With the next speaker vote set for January 2025, Johnson will need to work hard to avoid more defections and secure his position. If his leadership falters again, don’t expect Democrats to bail him out.