In the weeks that followed, Republicans who narrowly control the House considered and rejected three potential replacements before settling on Johnson, a Louisiana attorney who has been supported by former President Donald Trump for years. to push conservative policies like prayer in schools.
His election was greeted with cheers and a standing ovation from his party members, who were visibly relieved to see a way out of the crisis.
Who is Mike Johnson?
He is a “friend of all, enemy of none,” said Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik as she introduced him on the floor.
First elected in 2016, Johnson is the least experienced House speaker in decades.
Johnson entered the House of Representatives in 2017 after creating controversy over legislation deemed hostile to LGBT people in Louisiana.
He is known for authoring an unsuccessful appeal by 126 House Republicans after the 2020 presidential election to have the Supreme Court overturn the election results of states that Trump lost.
Johnson declined to answer a question about that test shortly after his appointment Tuesday night, while other Republicans mocked the reporter who asked it.
Last year, the father of four voted against codifying federal protections for same-sex marriage.
Johnson has the support of Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, who tried in vain before him to get the job. And especially Trump.
“I have not heard a single negative comment about him. Everyone likes him, he is respected by everyone … a person who will be truly extraordinary and probably for many years,” he said of him before the vote .
He also has the support of Matt Gaetz, the Trumpist who promoted the downfall of the former president at home: Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz considered the change from McCarthy to Johnson “a sign” of the rise of Trumpists within the party.
A trend that has not escaped Democrats. For Congressman Pete Aguilar it all depends on “who can comfort Donald Trump.”
