Massie predicts effort to oust Johnson will not return until after November elections

Massie claimed that he expects Johnson will not face another possible ousting this year, but could struggle to stay in power after the speaker vote next year if Republicans maintain control of the lower chamber.

Published: June 6, 2024 10:13pm

One of House Speaker Mike Johnson's biggest critics predicted Thursday that the speaker's job would be safe until the end of the current term, after an effort to oust him failed last month. 

GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, and Paul Gosar from Arizona attempted to remove Johnson through a motion-to-vacate, but the effort failed after more than 100 Democrats joined with the majority of Republicans to table the motion. Only one Republican needs to summon the motion-to-vacate but the majority of the House needs to vote in favor of the person's dismissal.

Massie claimed that he expects Johnson will not face another possible ouster this year, but could struggle to stay in power after the speaker vote next year if Republicans maintain control of the lower chamber.

“I don’t see it coming back. I think it’s done,” Massie told NBC News.

Massie claimed that a large part of whether Johnson will keep control of the party in the House next year depends on if the Republicans keep the House, and if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House. Trump has a lot of pull over conservatives in Congress, but has been supportive of Johnson amid Greene's efforts to oust him. Trump has also been supportive of Greene in other cases. But Massie said that even if Trump does throw his support behind Johnson, Massie will not vote for him as speaker.

“Hell or high water, I won’t vote for him,” the congressman said.

Greene has not commented on whether she will be renewing her efforts to oust Johnson, but has remained critical of him. 

“Mike Johnson still hasn’t figured out how to use the power of the purse,” Greene wrote Tuesday on X. “Republicans can’t seem to ever figure out how to use the power the American people gave us.”

Greene also vowed to speak to Johnson about impeaching President Joe Biden, and questioned his loyalty to Trump by not calling for Biden's impeachment already, per NBC News.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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