House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing a growing revolt within his own party as he prepares to introduce a Ukraine funding proposal this week, a move that has further inflamed his former allies' efforts to oust him from power. The speaker's decision to put aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan up for separate votes on the House floor has drawn criticism from conservative members of the GOP who accuse Johnson of violating his earlier promises and ceding the majority to Democrats.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has joined Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) in her crusade to remove Johnson from the speakership, arguing that the current speaker has failed to deliver conservative wins and that his life experience hasn't "equipped him for this job." Massie's support for the motion to vacate breathes new life into the question of whether the animosity towards Johnson will harden into another internal coup.
As of Friday, when Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) quits Congress, it will only take two Republicans to remove Johnson, assuming every Democrat sides with the rebels. However, Democrats have signaled that they may not go along with the GOP ouster over Johnson's decision to fund Ukraine, complicating the rebels' efforts.
Despite the growing opposition, Johnson remains defiant, dubbing himself a "wartime speaker" battling his party's competing factions and a paper-thin majority. "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-at the moment," Johnson told reporters, comparing the current situation to the challenges faced during the Civil War.
The revolt against Johnson's speakership comes as his conference weighs the future of Ukraine aid, perhaps the most divisive topic facing the House GOP. Many Republicans are furious that Johnson's proposal decouples border security from Ukraine aid, with some considering voting against the procedural rule or tanking the foreign aid package altogether unless Johnson pursues more right-wing priorities.
Even as many Republicans criticize Johnson's approach to Ukraine aid, there are still only two GOP members publicly backing the mutiny. Several of Johnson's Republican allies have come to his defense, with some taking to social media in what appeared to be a coordinated campaign. Former President Donald Trump has also given Johnson his stamp of approval, condemning Greene's motion to vacate and acknowledging the speaker's challenging role.
Many Republican lawmakers fear the trauma and instability of another speaker battle, arguing that the motion to vacate serves no positive purpose and could drive Johnson into the waiting hands of Democrats eager to see aid to Ukraine pass. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) warned that if the "self-proclaimed conservatives" don't go along with the speaker's plan, they will be responsible for having the Senate bill with no changes, which is not preferred.
Democrats, for their part, are closely watching the developments in the GOP conference. Some, like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), have expressed support for Johnson, holding out hope that the speaker will stand by his plans and put Ukraine aid on the floor. Others, like Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), have taken a more skeptical view, warning that if Johnson leaves out elements like humanitarian aid to Palestinians, they won't be rushing to his rescue.
As Johnson navigates the treacherous political waters, the fate of his speakership hangs in the balance. Some argue that the speaker should voluntarily step down after passing the Ukraine funding deal, preserving a semblance of dignity and reminding the American electorate that leaders are prepared to step aside when they can no longer be effective in the job. Others believe that Johnson should resist the MAGA movement's efforts to cast him aside, even if it means relying on Democratic support to maintain his position.
Regardless of the outcome, the ongoing drama in the House GOP has devastated Republican morale at a time when the party is trying desperately to excite its base. As the Ukraine funding vote approaches, all eyes will be on Speaker Johnson and the rebellious members of his conference, as the nation watches to see whether the House can overcome its internal divisions and deliver critical support to a key U.S. ally.
