A new report from Reese Gorman at NOTUS says that “it’s become a running joke among some Republican members” that “Speaker Mike Johnson has had to rely on President Donald Trump so much, Trump is actually the one running the House.”
Trump even makes fun of Johnson to his face in front of House Republicans, joking in at least one meeting that “I have two jobs: being president and being speaker.”
Because Johnson can only lose two votes to pass bills, he has often had to call in Trump to control the unpredictable and sometimes crazy members of the House GOP group.
Johnson has completely given up Congress’ authority to Trump, telling many of his members to get approval from the White House before bringing any issue up for a vote.
“It is a total shirking of responsibilities to the White House,” a House Republican told NOTUS.
“Everything has to be preordained and pre-blessed, and there’s very little that we’re able to have our own will on. We should be empowered to pass our own priorities, not just follow what the mandate of the day is.”
Another House Republican, Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, said “In my adult lifetime, I have not seen an executive branch with as much input and influence over the chamber than this one has.”
A third Republican, Don Bacon, said “The speaker has felt like, since they’re from the same party, there’s not a need for checks and balances.
I disagree. I think we could have provided more feedback on tariffs, Ukraine, and other things, like the ballroom.”
It’s a total and complete abdication of leadership and responsibility from “Speaker” Johnson.
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