Three Republican lawmakers are leading an effort to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from his post, with Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona joining Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky in supporting a motion to vacate. The move comes after the House advanced a foreign aid package with more Democratic votes than Republican support, leading to criticism of Johnson for omitting border security provisions from the legislation. The package includes aid for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific region, among other foreign policy priorities, and is expected to be voted on soon.
Greene has been threatening Johnson for weeks over his handling of the funding for Ukraine, but has not yet forced a vote on the issue. Johnson, however, remains unfazed by the potential challenge to his leadership, stating that he is focused on doing his job regardless of personal consequences. He has not sought support from Democrats to help him retain his position, emphasizing that he is committed to fulfilling his duties as House Speaker. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not confirmed whether Democrats will intervene to save Johnson if a vote to vacate is initiated, but he has indicated that national security legislation remains a top priority for the caucus.
Despite the growing opposition from within his own party, Johnson has maintained a calm demeanor and expressed confidence in his ability to carry out his responsibilities effectively. He has emphasized the importance of focusing on the job at hand and not getting distracted by potential challenges to his leadership. Greene, Massie, and Gosar have been vocal in their criticisms of Johnson, citing concerns about his handling of border security and foreign aid issues. The situation highlights ongoing divisions within the Republican Party over key policy issues and leadership roles in Congress.
The potential vote to remove Johnson as House Speaker underscores the broader tensions and disagreements within the GOP over national security, foreign policy, and border security issues. Greene, Massie, and Gosar are emblematic of the more hardline faction within the party that is pushing for a more America-first approach to these issues. Johnson’s leadership style and decision-making have come under scrutiny, leading to calls for his removal from some members of his own party. The outcome of this internal struggle will have implications for the future direction of the Republican Party and its stance on key policy issues in the coming months.
