Johnson Pays Trump Visit as He Faces Mounting Criticism from the Right
Speaker Mike Johnson is facing backlash from some on his right flank for his recent visit with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Critics are questioning Johnson's decision to meet with Trump so soon after being elected as Speaker of the House, especially considering his recent collaboration with Democrats to pass a bill to avoid a government shutdown.
According to sources, Johnson visited Trump to solidify his relationship with the former president and to secure his support for his leadership position. This move sends a clear message that Johnson knows he cannot afford to have Trump's public disapproval and risk alienating the hard-right faction of his party.
Johnson has also taken other steps to gain favor with the right recently, such as releasing surveillance footage of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, a demand from the extremist wing of the party. The new speaker seems to be determined not to make the same mistakes of his predecessor.
By aligning himself with Trump, Johnson is positioning himself as the first speaker to be fully in line with the former president's views and agenda.
This meeting at Mar-a-Lago only solidifies Johnson's loyalty to Trump. The two have a long-standing relationship, with Johnson defending Trump in two Senate impeachment trials and being a key player in attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Johnson has also officially endorsed Trump's 2020 re-election and traveled as a campaign surrogate to ensure his victory.
However, some are calling out Johnson's hypocrisy, citing a 2015 post on social media where he expressed concerns about Trump's character and moral center.
In the post, Johnson stated that Trump was unfit to serve as president and could be a danger to the country. But now, Johnson seems to have changed his tune to secure Trump's support and maintain his own power within the party.
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Johnson, who had no previous experience in a top leadership position until last month, made a stop at Mar-a-Lago while on a fundraising trip in Florida. This visit, along with his endorsement of Trump, highlights his efforts to gain support and solidify his hold on the gavel.
It's clear that the speaker’s visit with Trump may have been calculated and politically motivated, but it is also clear that it was a meeting with a longtime ally and friend.