Mike Johnson reveals the unusual role Trump White House staff see him in

Johnson opens up about his close relationship with Trump as he campaigns for vulnerable House Republicans

BY EREN WARIS

PUBLISHED AUG 24, 2026

With Speaker of the House Mike Johnson by his side President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the Capitol on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi (R) as Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) (L) looks on during the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton on February 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is joined by bipartisan Congressional members, business, and religious leaders to pray for the nation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) (L) at the Washington Hilton on February 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) attends the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton on February 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is joined by bipartisan Congressional members, business, and religious leaders to pray for the nation. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson attends the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton on February 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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.”

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 16: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his wife, Kelly Johnson, appear on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his wife, Kelly Johnson, appear on stage on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 16, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks during a press conference on February 11, 2026 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was joined by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), House Administration Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) as well as other Republican members of Congress to speak about the passage of the SAVE America Act, an election bill backed by U.S. President Donald Trump that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and require photo identification at the ballot box. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) speaks during a press conference on February 11, 2026 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

“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.”