Louisiana’s Mike Johnson has retained the speaker's gavel, with House Republicans backing him to lead the caucus after a dramatic first round of votes.
The result comes in the wake of intense speculation over Johnson's standing with the caucus, particularly given Republicans' razor-thin majority in the lower chamber. Johnson needed support from 218 of 219 House Republicans, and Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) announced he would not back the incumbent speaker ahead of the Friday afternoon vote. Others did not reveal how they would vote before taking to the House floor.
President-elect Donald Trump responded by rallying behind Johnson, calling him a "fine man of great ability" and making calls on his behalf. Though Johnson did flip a number of holdouts, he did not appear to secure the necessary support in the first round of voting with Massie and Reps. Ralph Norman (R., S.C.) and Keith Self (R., Texas) voting against him. But the round did not formally close, and Norman and Self flipped their votes to Johnson after huddling with the speaker toward the back of the chamber and reportedly speaking with Trump, who congratulated Johnson shortly after the vote concluded.
"Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary," Trump said in a statement posted to Truth Social. "The People of America have waited four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They'll get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!"
Johnson will now work with South Dakota's John Thune, whom Senate Republicans elected as leader in November, to usher in Trump's agenda. The GOP formally took control of the upper chamber Friday following a swearing-in ceremony that included freshman lawmakers Dave McCormick (Pa.), Tim Sheehy (Mont.), and Bernie Moreno (Ohio).
Republicans hold 52 Senate seats to Democrats' 47. They will hold 53 seats on Jan. 13, when West Virginia's Jim Justice will finish his term as governor and join the upper chamber. One week later, on Jan. 20, the GOP will enjoy a trifecta in Washington, D.C., following Trump's inauguration.
Johnson's successful reelection avoids a messy scenario for Trump and other Republicans. Without a speaker, the House would not have been able to hold votes, including those cast to certify Trump's electoral win. Instead, it will vote on a rules package later this afternoon.