Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) spoke to reporters during his weekly press conference on Tuesday and labeled himself a “wartime speaker” governing at a time “comparable to the Civil War.”
Johnson is facing a hardright revolt as the House is set to vote to pass additional military aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.
“Look, we are in. We are in unprecedented times. Okay. We’re in dangerous times. This has been articulated here around the world and here at home. We need steady leadership. We need steady hands at the wheel. Look, I regard myself as a as a wartime speaker,” Johnson said, adding:
I mean, in a literal sense, we are. I knew that when I took the gavel. I didn’t anticipate that this would be easy path. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich posted a couple days ago on his social media that, this is the hardest challenge that’s faced a speaker, probably in the history of the country and the moment we’re in right now. He said, arguably, may be comparable to the Civil War, but maybe worse.
On Tuesday, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) slammed Johnson for advancing spending bills and supporting the additional foreign aid. “I just told Mike Johnson in conference that I’m cosponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG. He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker,” Massie fumed online.
Johnson called Massie urging him to resign “absurd” and CNN has reported that Democrats may very well provide the votes to keep him in power should hardline Republicans move to oust him.
Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.
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