Democrats have mixed reaction to Johnson’s speaker victory: ‘Hell has frozen over’
Democratic lawmakers had mixed reactions to Republican Rep. Mike Johnson being re-elected as speaker of the House for the 119th Congress. Lawmakers gathered on Capitol Hill Friday to vote for a speaker before the new Congress commenced. Johnson won the speaker race during the first round of voting, but not all GOP lawmakers were originally in support of his candidacy. During the first round, three Republicans voted for candidates other than Johnson. However, after a short meeting in the GOP cloakroom with Johnson, Republican holdouts Ralph Norman and Keith Self changed their vote for the first round, securing the speakership for Johnson. While it remained uncertain whether the Republican holdouts would change their votes, Democrats began reacting on social media. MIKE JOHNSON RE-ELECTED HOUSE SPEAKER AS GOP MUTINY THREAT DISSOLVES “The GOP Civil War is in full swing. And it’s only Day 1,” House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries wrote in a post on X shortly before two of the GOP holdouts changed their votes. “Welp, it only took a few minutes for the GOP to run this train right off its tracks — not voting for their own Speaker of the House,” Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said in a post on social media. “Was hoping we could leave the dysfunction in 2024 and work for the American people! But we’re headed to a round two of Speaker votes.” But the sentiment changed after Johnson won the gavel in just one round. One Democrat credited Johnson for securing the speakership in a single vote after it took Republican lawmakers four days to elect a speaker in January 2023. GOP REBELS SWITCH VOTE TO JOHNSON AFTER TRUMP’S 11TH HOUR CALLS, PUSHING HIM OVER THE FINISH LINE “To his credit Mike Johnson learned from the 15 round debacle of 2 years ago. Instead of trying to jam his conference with a quick second round he held the vote open while some backroom arm twisting & hand wringing took place. The result: 2 changed vote, enough to win the gavel,” Rep. Hank Johnson, R-Ga., said. “This fight is over, but keep your popcorn close.” “Hell has frozen over (literally – it’s snowing in DC)! With just one vote, we have a Speaker – for now!” Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., said on X. Democratic Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky said, “now that we have a Speaker, let’s get to work.” After Johnson won the speakership vote, other Democrats congratulated him. “Congratulations to Mike Johnson on earning re-election as Speaker of the House,” Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., posted on social media. “There are several vetted, bipartisan bills in the docket that he could immediately bring to the floor to help Americans: afford housing, pay for Rx drugs, secure the border.” Democratic lawmakers voted unanimously for Representative-elect Hakeem Jeffries of New York. “215 @HouseDemocrats stand united behind our Leader @RepJeffries. First round. Every round,” Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., said in a post on X after the vote.
Trump slams Merchan, Democrats, who ‘just want to see if they can get a pound of flesh’ amid failed cases
EXCLUSIVE: President-elect Donald Trump slammed Judge Juan Merchan for denying his request to dismiss the charges against him in New York v. Trump, telling Fox News Digital Democrats “just want to see if they can get a pound of flesh because every case has failed.” Merchan denied Trump’s request to toss his guilty verdict in New York v. Trump, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and set his sentencing for Jan. 10—just ten days before he is sworn in as 47th President of the United States. NEW YORK JUDGE SETS TRUMP SENTENCING DAYS BEFORE INAUGURATION Merchan said there would be no imposition of a sentence including incarceration, jail time, a fine, or probation, but rather, likely, a sentence of an “unconditional discharge,” which means there would be no punishment imposed. “Every major legal pundit, including Andy McCarthy, Jonathan Turley, Gregg Jarrett, and Eli Honig, has stated strongly there was no case, there is no case and this was just a witch hunt,” Trump told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview Friday. “The judge is corrupt and I am still under a gag order, I am not allowed to speak about the thing he least wants me to talk about.” Trump said Merchan is “a totally conflicted judge who is doing the work for the Democrat Party because every other case has failed.” “I did absolutely nothing wrong,” Trump continued. “This is a political witch hunt by Biden and the DOJ.” He added: “They want to see if they can get a pound of flesh because every case has failed including deranged Jack Smith’s, who is on his way back to the Hague after having lost every case.” Trump told Fox News Digital that “nobody has ever gone through what I go through—this is a disgrace.” The president-elect went on to call Merchan “the most conflicted judge in the history of jurisprudence.” “There has never been a judge as conflicted as this one,” Trump said. “There was no case. He created a case out of nothing because he wanted my political opponent to win.” Merchan imposed a gag order over Trump during the trial and has refused to lift that order. TRUMP CLAIMS DEMS MAY TRY TO IMPEDE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS FOR HIS NOMINEES Merchan’s gag order bars Trump from making or directing others to make public statements about witnesses with regard to their potential participation or about counsel in the case—other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg—or about court staff, DA staff, or family members of staff. One issue Trump has been barred from speaking about relates to Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, who sits as the president for Authentic Campaigns—a company that has done political work for top Democrat clients like President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan launched an investigation into Loren Merchan’s work for the Democrat-affiliated firm. Loren Merchan received more than $7 million in compensation from her work for Vice President Harris in 2020. Meanwhile, cases brought against Trump in all other jurisdictions have been dismissed or are paused indefinitely. A federal judge in Florida this summer dismissed the case brought against Trump by now-former Special Counsel Jack Smith related to his alleged improper retention of classified records. The judge, Jude Aileen Cannon of the Southern District of Florida, dismissed the charges, ruling that Smith was unlawfully appointed as special counsel. Smith’s case against Trump related to alleged 2020 election interference was also dismissed last month, and he closed his office. Trump had pleaded not guilty to all charges across both of Smith’s cases against him. And last month, a Georgia court of appeals disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her team from prosecuting Trump in her 2020 election interference case. JORDAN INVESTIGATES DAUGHTER OF JUDGE IN NY V. TRUMP CASE OVER HER WORK FOR KAMALA HARRIS, DEMOCRATS The court did not toss Trump’s indictment entirely, but Willis and the assistant DAs working in her office now have “no authority to proceed.” “There is no way such corrupt people can lead a case and then it gets taken over by somebody else,” Trump told Fox News Digital last month, reacting to the ruling. “It was a corrupt case, so how could it be taken over by someone else?” “The case has to be thrown out because it was started corruptly by an incompetent prosecutor who received millions of dollars through her boyfriend—who received it from her—and then they went on cruises all the time,” Trump said, referring to Willis’ relationship with a former prosecutor on her team, Nathan Wade. “Therefore, the case is entirely dead,” Trump said. “Everybody should receive an apology, including those wonderful patriots who have been caught up in this for years.” Meanwhile, Trump spokesman and incoming White House Communications Director Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital that the order by Merchan “is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s Immunity decision and other longstanding jurisprudence.” “This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” Cheung told Fox News Digital. “President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this or any remnants of the Witch Hunts.” Cheung added: “There should be no sentencing, and President Trump will continue fighting against these hoaxes until they are all dead.”
House Republicans rejoice over quick speaker vote with only one defector
Republicans in the House of Representatives cheered the re-election of Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during the first round of votes Friday, after successfully avoiding the lengthy speaker vote process former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., endured ahead of the 118th Congress in early 2023. “Congratulations to my friend @SpeakerJohnson! We’re fired up and ready to work with President Trump to Make America Great Again!” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., wrote on X after the successful vote. Johnson was elected to serve as speaker again by a vote of 218-215-1, with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., the only Republican who opposed Johnson’s election. ‘LIVES DEPEND ON IT’: REPUBLICANS PUSH FOR PROMPT TRUMP CONFIRMATIONS IN WAKE OF NEW ORLEANS ATTACK House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., said on X: “Congratulations to @SpeakerJohnson on his re-election to lead our conference through the 119th Congress. Under his leadership, House Republicans are ready to work with President @realDonaldTrump to fix our economy, secure our borders, unleash American energy, and lower taxes for hardworking families. The American people are counting on us, and the @HouseGOP will deliver.” Initially, it looked like Johnson would fall short of the necessary votes to be elected on the first ballot after Republican representatives Keith Self of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina first voted for different candidates. However, the two ultimately switched their votes for Johnson before the tally was officially closed. Several Republicans pointed out their ability to get it done on the first ballot after it took 15 ballots in 2023 to elect McCarthy. MIKE JOHNSON GETS PUBLIC GOP SENATE SUPPORT AHEAD OF TIGHT HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE “Victory on the first ballot. As the Chairwoman of the unified House Republican Conference, I can say proudly, that we are ready to govern,” House GOP conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., said on X. In his own post, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., wrote, “First day. First ballot. Time to get to work on behalf of the American people.” While Johnson was able to win re-election on the first ballot, it didn’t come without significant uncertainty. A number of Republicans, including members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, did not initially cast votes when their names were called, putting Johnson’s speakership at risk. HEALTHY LIVING, PARTY UNITY, AND ‘TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES’: CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS’ NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.; Michael Cloud, R-Texas; Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.; Paul Gosar, R-Ariz.; House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md.; Chip Roy, R-Texas; and Mike Waltz, R-Fla., did not vote at first during the roll call. After the initial roll call, each of the representatives voted in favor of Johnson, to the surprise of some. “Today, we voted for Mike Johnson for Speaker of the House because of our steadfast support of President Trump and to ensure the timely certification of his electors,” Harris wrote on X afterward. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., a member and former chairman of the HFC, said on X, “While I maintain my reservations about Speaker Johnson’s leadership record, today I voted in support of President Trump’s Agenda. BERNIE SANDERS PLANS TO SPEARHEAD LEGISLATION ON KEY TRUMP PROPOSAL “We will hold Speaker Johnson accountable to accomplish the Republican Agenda. He must: – Secure our southern border – Institute commonsense House rules – Cut unbridled federal spending – Eliminate harmful and costly regulations – Reverse insane Biden policies like Green New Deal handouts – Implement a Congressional stock trade ban. We have a mandate from the American People. These policies are necessary to save our Country.” “Congratulations, @SpeakerJohnson. I look forward to working with you to accomplish the legislative goals of President Trump in the coming days,” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., another HFC member, wrote on X.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: One and Done
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… – New York judge sets Trump sentencing for Jan. 10 – Carter appointees reshaped federal benches across the country – Federal courts will not make criminal referrals to DOJ over separate ethics complaints against Justice Thomas Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives on Friday. The Louisiana Republican won along party lines during the first round of voting, a stark contrast to his predecessor’s drawn-out, 15-round battle in 2023. It comes despite saber-rattling by some conservatives who threatened to withhold support from Johnson in protest of his handling of government funding and several other issues in the 118th Congress…Read more HORROR ON BOURBON: New Orleans truck-ramming attack: Terror suspect seen on eerie surveillance hour before Bourbon Street carnage…Read more NEW YEAR’S NIGHTMARES: New Orleans terrorist, man in Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion shared more links in attacks just hours apart…Read more ‘TARGET’ FOR TERRORISM: New Orleans barricade oversight in ‘target area for terrorism’ during prime season raises concerns…Read more PATH OF DESTRUCTION: 7 times ISIS has inspired terror attacks on US soil…Read more JABBAR’S ‘WAR’: New Orleans terrorist chose Bourbon Street for maximum carnage: timeline…Read more NEW YEAR’S ESCAPE: New Orleans revelers narrowly escape path of speeding truck in ‘tactic of choice among terrorists’…Read more ‘GLOBAL THREAT’: Diplomat says New Orleans terror attack injured Israeli reservists on leave from Hamas war…Read more OLD TEXTS: Las Vegas suspect’s ex-girlfriend shares days-old texts of him bragging about Tesla Cybertruck…Read more GLOBAL THREAT: ISIS increasingly unopposed following US withdrawal from Afghanistan, collapse of Syria…Read more ‘MEDIEVAL CRIMES’: Iran executes over 1,000 prisoners in 2024, highest total in 30 years, report says…Read more ‘HARDWORKING PATRIOTS’: Trump taps team to work with US Treasury nominee Scott Bessent…Read more MASSIVE SUPPORT: Significant majority believe Trump will ‘control illegal immigration’…Read more ‘PUT ASIDE OUR PRIDE’: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to vote for Johnson after seeking to oust him from speakership last year…Read more ‘AMERICA IS BACK’: Trump reacts to Johnson winning speaker vote….Read more SHAMPOO, ABORTION & TAXES: Shampoo rules and immigrant care: A look at some ‘draconian’ state laws, tax hikes taking effect in 2025…Read more FIRST ON FOX: ‘Radical’ FBI practices on DEI ‘endangered’ Americans, Blackburn says in letter demanding answers from Wray…Read more ‘REPLY-ALL’ MOMENT: Washington State Democrats accidentally email their ‘radical’ tax plan to entire Senate…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com
GOP lawmaker, 81, receives medical attention after fall at US Capitol
Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., is receiving medical attention after suffering a fall at the U.S. Capitol on Friday, Fox News has learned. Foxx, who chairs the House Education Committee, reportedly fell on the grand staircases on the GOP side of the Capitol, shortly after the House voted to re-elect Rep. Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House. The congresswoman, 81, was bleeding after the incident and was seen being treated by the Capitol’s medical personnel. MIKE JOHNSON RE-ELECTED HOUSE SPEAKER AS GOP MUTINY THREAT DISSOLVES The congresswoman appeared to have a bloody nose, but it is unknown at this time if she suffered any serious injuries from the fall. Foxx was seen walking after the incident, reportedly being guided by medical attendants to the Capitol physicians office.
‘Colonies problem’: Delegate’s mic cut after outcry during House speaker vote
U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett protested the nonvoting status of the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories Friday— sparking mixed reactions after she accused the U.S. in House floor remarks of having a “colonies problem.” The exchange occurred after Plaskett, a Democrat, stood after the first roll call vote to note what she said was a parliamentary inquiry. Plaskett then asked the House clerk why she and other delegates from the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia were not asked to participate in the House speaker vote. Combined, she noted that the delegates excluded represent some four million Americans and what she said was “the largest per capita of veterans in this country.” Speaking over Republican cries of “order!” that could be heard in the background, the House clerk then explained to Plaskett that delegates-elect and the resident commissioner-elect are not qualified to vote in the House speaker election. “Representatives-elect are the only individuals qualified to vote in the election of a speaker, as provided in Section 36 of the House Rules and Manual,” the clerk said. That response prompted an impassioned response from Plaskett. “This body, and this nation, has a territories and a colonies problem,” she said, prompting some Democrats to give a standing ovation. Republicans, for their part, began booing. “What was supposed to be temporary has now effectively become permanent,” she said. “We must do something about this problem.” Her mic appeared to have been cut off shortly thereafter. Plaskett has served as a non-voting delegate to the U.S. Virgin Islands since 2015, during which time the chamber has voted to elect seven separate House speakers.
New York judge sets Trump sentencing days before inauguration
President-elect Trump’s bid to toss his conviction in his New York criminal hush money case was denied on Friday. New York Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision. Merchan noted that he is still reviewing the other motions filed by Trump to dismiss the case. Sentencing will be January 10 at 9:30 a.m, with the president-elect having the option to appear in person or virtually.
GOP rebels switch vote to Johnson after Trump’s 11th hour calls, pushing him over the finish line
President-elect Trump appears to have helped Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., avoid a messy, drawn-out fight to lead the House of Representatives. Trump spoke by phone with both Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Keith Self, R-Texas, after they had initially voted for people other than Johnson for speaker, two knowledgeable sources told Fox News Digital. Self and Norman were seen disappearing into a side room with Johnson and others after the roll call vote was complete, but before the vote was formally closed. They emerged minutes later and announced they would both vote for Johnson – cementing the Louisiana Republican’s victory. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ Self then confirmed to reporters that he had spoken with Trump by phone multiple times on Friday. “I talked to him a couple of times today,” Self said. “We had a lively discussion.” Self did not elaborate much further on the contents of the discussion. But the two people who spoke with Fox News Digital said Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., connected Trump with Self and Norman by phone after they voted against Johnson. REPUBLICANS GIVE DETAILS FROM CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS WITH DOGE’S MUSK, RAMASWAMY Mace would not comment, but Fox News Digital saw her and Johnson share a hug on the House floor after they and others were in the side room with the holdouts. She was also seen in intense talks with Norman off the House floor earlier. Norman also later confirmed to reporters that he spoke with Trump on Friday. “He just made his point about how Mike is the only one who could get elected,” Norman said, adding that Trump did not change his vote but rather a “commitment that things are gonna change” from Johnson. Johnson won the House speakership in the first round of voting, after it initially appeared he was poised to lose. Self, Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., each voted for people other than Johnson, appearing to put the speaker’s gavel out of reach. But House leaders did not formally close the vote while figuring out a path forward. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers were told to be on the House floor immediately in preparation for a second vote. That second vote did not occur, however, and Johnson was sworn in as speaker on Friday afternoon.
Trump cheers Johnson winning speaker vote: ‘America is back’
FIRST ON FOX: President-elect Trump reacted to Mike Johnson’s re-election as speaker of the House, telling Fox News Digital the process brought House Republicans “even closer together,” and said it is a continuation of “Make America Great Again.” Johnson was re-elected speaker of the House Friday. Sources told Fox News Digital that the president-elect was in “constant communication” with House Republicans throughout the process. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Trump said it was “a great honor to have helped.” “It is all a great continuation of ‘Make America Great Again,’” Trump said. MIKE JOHNSON RE-ELECTED HOUSE SPEAKER AS GOP MUTINY THREAT DISSOLVES “Mike Johnson will do a fabulous job as speaker,” Trump said. “House Republican membership was fantastic.” “This process has brought them even closer together,” he said. “It is all a reflection of the great presidential election of 2024 where we won all seven swing states, the popular vote and everything else there is to win.” “We will all be working together with total benefit going to the people of our nation,” he said. “Our country will be run with strength and common sense again.” He added: “America is back.”
Mike Johnson re-elected House speaker as GOP mutiny threat dissolves
Speaker-designate Mike Johnson, R-La., was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives on Friday. The Louisiana Republican won along party lines during the first round of voting, a stark contrast to his predecessor’s drawn-out, 15-round battle in 2023. It comes despite saber-rattling by some conservatives who threatened to withhold support from Johnson in protest of his handling of government funding and several other issues in the 118th Congress. TRUMP GIVES JOHNSON ‘COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT’ AHEAD OF SPEAKERSHIP FIGHT Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was part of an unsuccessful push to oust Johnson last year, was the speaker-designate’s most vocal critic leading up to the Friday vote. He told former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on his new One America News Network program, “You can pull all my fingernails out, you can shove bamboo up in them, you can start cutting off my fingers.” “I am not voting for Mike Johnson tomorrow, and you can take that to the bank,” Massie said. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ Other detractors included members of the House Freedom Caucus like Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who has expressed interest in chairing the influential House Rules Committee, the panel that directs terms for House-wide votes on legislation. Johnson’s allies warned in return that a prolonged House Speaker fight could delay Congress’ joint session to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, slated for Jan. 6. Johnson also had a key backer in Trump, who emphasized his support for the GOP leader hours before the midday vote. “Good luck today for Speaker Mike Johnson, a fine man of great ability, who is very close to having 100% support. A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social app. Johnson wrote on X in response, “Thank you, President Trump! Today is a new day in America. Congressional Republicans must stay united to quickly deliver President Trump’s America First agenda. Let’s get it done.” His victory marks the start of his first full term as speaker. Johnson won the gavel in October 2023 after three weeks of closed-door talks following the ouster of ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.