Mike Johnson’s foes 'still fuming' in 'bruised and divided House GOP'

From Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) to Rep. Thomas Molinaro (R-New York), many Republicans have been openly critical of far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Georgia) push to oust Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana). And some Democrats have defended Johnson as well, including Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California) — who has said that despite their many policy differences, he believes Johnson "deserves to keep his job."

But Greene isn't backing down, and the Republicans who have joined her in the move to oust Johnson as speaker include Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Arizona).

The Daily Beast's Reese Gorman, in an article published on April 29, offers some reasons why Johnson's speakership still may not be safe — even with frustration over Greene's antics.

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"Even if some members are not as fired up in lockstep as Greene may have hoped," Gorman explains, "there is very real energy behind her push to remove him. The coming weeks on Capitol Hill may be a test of whether the hardcore MAGA cohort Greene represents can overcome the ambivalence or even opposition in many corners to removing Johnson, despite the feelings of betrayal over his support for Ukraine aid."

Gorman adds, "What seems certain is that the fight will push an already bruised and divided House GOP further past the brink…. The anti-Johnson crowd is still fuming."

Rep. Eli Crane (R-Arizona) told the Beast he is "open" to removing Johnson from the speaker position. But Molinaro is frustrated with Greene, not Johnson.

Molinaro told the Beast, "(Greene) needs to stop it. The theatrics, the drama, the crisis-creating doesn't help my constituents. It doesn't improve the lives of those we serve nor this country. It's tiring, unhelpful and wrong."

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Meanwhile, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) told the Beast, "The institution really needs to be respected. And if people are doing something wrong, then the chair should be vacated. But if it's a difference of opinion, that's democracy."

Gorman stresses that if Greene's proposal to oust Johnson as speaker comes up for a full House vote, he won't be able to keep his speakership without some Democratic support.

" The math is also not in Johnson's favor," Gorman explains. "If a motion to vacate were to come up, Johnson could only afford to lose two Republican votes if no Democrats help him out. Since three Republicans have already signed onto the motion, Johnson's future as speaker would be put in the hands of Democrats, some of whom seem poised to save Johnson if they must."

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Read The Daily Beast's full report at this link (subscription required).