Mike Johnson reveals the unusual role Trump White House staff see him in
WASHINGTON, DC: Speaker Mike Johnson said some White House staffers view his unusually close relationship with the president Trump as resembling a partnership beyond his formal House role.
Johnson said the view stems from how frequently he and Trump communicate, while Trump has joked he has two jobs: president and speaker.
He made the comments in an interview with NOTUS, published Monday, August 24, before a campaign stop for Rep Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania.
Johnson says staffers call him co-president
“Some on his staff have said, ‘No, it’s really like you’re co-president,’” Johnson recalled to outlet. “Because the president and I speak all the time.”
The remark came as Johnson described the demands of leading House Republicans through a narrow two-seat majority, where members have sometimes refused to support leadership priorities.
Trump has at times joked that he has two jobs because he is often the closer who secures Republican votes for priority bills, the outlet reported.
Johnson said some White House staffers characterize their relationship differently because of the frequency of their communication.
“I intend to be the speaker going forward,” Johnson said, dismissing the idea that he needs to consider another leadership role.
Johnson's comments about his relationship with Trump came during a 30-day campaign stretch in which he is stumping for vulnerable Republican members and top challengers who will help determine control of the House.
Mike Johnson faces pressure from his own members
Johnson said he considers navigating the House's narrow majority the “hardest job” in the world, describing colleagues who curse at him, call him names and refuse to be team players.
He said he does not take those attacks personally.
“I don’t get my feelings hurt. I never do,” Johnson said. “With leadership comes attacks and, you know, defamatory remarks and all. That’s just part of the job. You’re going to be criticized no matter what you do.”
Johnson also said he does not hold grudges against members who have launched personal attacks.
Referring to a Bible verse, he said he wants to practice “the ministry of reconciliation” and remain open “to bring people back into the fold.”
That approach does not mean he rejects discipline. Johnson said there have been close to “100 members who have come forward with ideas” about changing conference rules to reprimand members who derail Republican legislation, according to the report.
“That’s the cart before the horse,” Johnson said, adding that he expects proposed rule changes when Republicans organize for the next Congress.
Midterms could decide Johnson’s future
Johnson's position is closely tied to whether Republicans retain their House majority in November. If they keep it, his position atop the Republican conference is all but secure, as per the report.
If Republicans lose the majority, however, his future becomes more uncertain, it added.
Republicans across the House GOP conference, including some in leadership, do not believe Johnson will run for minority leader and expect him to step down from House leadership.
Johnson rejected the premise that he is planning for that outcome.
“Really, I never thought about it,” he said when asked about life in the minority.
NOTUS has previously reported on Rep Jim Jordan's apparent angling for a leadership position, while House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer are also viewed as contenders if Republicans lose control.
One senior GOP member described the potential leadership fight bluntly: “In the political burn down that’s coming, we slaughter everybody at the front of the room.”
