Mike Johnson was re-elected as Speaker, despite facing opposition from some members of the far-right.

 Johnson, R-La., initially fell two votes short of retaining the speaker's gavel on the first ballot. However, after a meeting with the speaker, two opponents changed their votes.

Jan. 3, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6 / Updated Jan. 4, 2025, 5:55 AM GMT+6

WASHINGTON — With strong backing from President-elect Donald Trump, Rep. Mike Johnson narrowly secured his first full two-year term as Speaker of the House on Friday, overcoming a small right-wing rebellion that eventually backed down.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and self-identified “MAGA conservative,” clinched the 218 votes required for re-election on the first ballot. Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York received 215 votes.

Only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted against Johnson.

Johnson's victory officially gives Republicans control of both chambers of Congress, allowing them to begin setting the stage for a second Trump administration and the ambitious legislative agenda he promised voters. Congress is expected to certify Trump’s election victory on Monday, Jan. 6—the fourth anniversary of the Capitol attack—and Trump will be sworn in at the Capitol on Jan. 20.

A small group of conservative rebels initially voted to block Johnson's re-election, defying Trump and threatening to paralyze the House, which cannot conduct business without a speaker.

Among nine Republicans who expressed reluctance during the vote, three voted for other candidates before ultimately switching to Johnson, and six withheld their votes. These nine lawmakers are significant because, under the GOP's new rules package, nine members are now required to trigger a “motion to vacate” and remove the speaker, an increase from the previous requirement of one.

Massie, who had been vocal in opposing Johnson, cast his vote for Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., voted for Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, while Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, backed Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

However, Trump intervened, personally calling the holdouts to rally behind Johnson and push his agenda forward. During a golf game, Trump spoke with Rep. Nancy Mace, who passed the phone to Norman. The president told Norman, "We’ve got the most opportunity we’ve ever had, three houses ... the trifecta. You don’t get that opportunity."

After further negotiations, including a meeting between Johnson, Norman, Self, and key conservative members, the holdouts switched their votes to Johnson. Following the vote, Johnson swore in all House members, with new senators having already taken their oaths earlier that day.

"President Trump is probably the most powerful president in the modern era, maybe in all of American history," Johnson said after the vote. "His voice and his influence are of singular importance."

Rep. Self explained that he flipped to a “yes” vote after Johnson committed to involving more conservatives in the discussions surrounding Trump’s agenda, particularly in negotiations over the "reconciliation" package.

Just 15 months earlier, Johnson had risen from relative obscurity to become speaker after a conservative coup ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Several of McCarthy’s top allies—Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer—had failed to secure the gavel. Johnson, a Trump ally with little name recognition, emerged victorious after the chaos.

During the past year, Johnson made deals with Democrats on spending, Ukraine aid, and the renewal of the FISA Section 702 surveillance program. However, these bipartisan agreements angered some of his right-wing critics. Massie, a libertarian fiscal conservative, had already vowed to oppose Johnson's re-election.

Johnson argued that a prolonged battle for the gavel, similar to McCarthy's 15-round struggle two years ago, would delay the House's efforts to implement Trump’s 2025 agenda.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., urged colleagues to elect Johnson swiftly, emphasizing unity as the key to their strength and leverage.

With control over both the House and Senate, Trump and congressional Republicans have outlined an ambitious legislative agenda for 2025, including renewing the expiring tax cuts from Trump’s first term, enhancing border security, tackling high energy costs, and combating illegal immigration.

Johnson stressed that the GOP would cut the size of government, expedite new drilling permits, deport "dangerous" undocumented immigrants, and complete Trump’s border wall.

However, the GOP is divided on the strategy to advance Trump's agenda, with some favoring a one-bill approach and others advocating for breaking it into separate measures, starting with border security before tackling tax reforms.

Johnson, when questioned about the strategy by Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, said there was a “compelling case” for a single bill, though Republicans were still evaluating the best course of action.

In addition to handling a busy legislative agenda, the newly Republican-controlled Senate will also have to hold hearings and confirmation votes for Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Incoming Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has warned that senators will likely have to work on Fridays, a rarity in the Senate, to meet their responsibilities.

With Johnson now firmly in control as speaker, the coming days will be full of activity in Washington. On Monday, Congress is set to certify Trump’s presidential election victory. Later in the week, former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away Sunday at 100, will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from Tuesday afternoon until Thursday morning. Johnson and Thune are expected to speak at a congressional tribute following Carter’s arrival.