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WASHINGTON — Nearly a dozen members of the House Freedom Caucus sent a letter to their Republican colleagues Friday saying they ultimately voted in favor of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to keep his leadership role because of President-elect Donald Trump.
“Today we voted for Mike Johnson as speaker of the House because of our steadfast support of President Trump and to ensure the timely certification of his electors,” the group wrote. “We did this despite our sincere reservations regarding the Speaker’s track record over the past 15 months.”
In the letter, which was posted on social media less than an hour after the vote officially closed, the 11 members went on to “demand the House of Representatives deliver” quickly on Trump’s agenda, pointing to securing the border, cutting spending, reversing policies of the Biden administration, ending stock trading by members of Congress and more.
“Now, Speaker Johnson must prove he will not fail to enact President Trump’s bold agenda,” the lawmakers wrote.
Johnson was reelected to the House speakership on Friday after two Republicans who initially cast their ballots for other members switched their votes in favor of the Louisiana Republican. The House was in limbo for about an hour before the two — Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas — eventually got on board with Johnson.
One Republican holdout, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., never switched over to Johnon’s corner.
Speaking to reporters after the vote, Norman noted he spoke with Trump during the delay and said Johnson gave him “assurances he’s going to fight for the things we think are important to the country.”
“I didn’t get anything personally other than a commitment that things are going to change,” he said.
Several of those who signed onto the letter initially did not vote when their names were called Friday before casting their ballot for Johnson at the end of the roll call.
Trump threw his weight behind Johnson on Monday, offering his “Complete & Total Endorsement” of the speaker in a post on social media. He later reiterated his support to reporters at a New Year’s Eve event at his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago, adding he would call reluctant members “if necessary” to lobby for Johnson.
