Former President Donald Trump is defending House Speaker Mike Johnson over his foreign aid package, as some House conservatives repeat threats to oust him.
“Well, look, we have a majority of one, OK?” Mr. Trump said Monday on John Fredericks’ radio show. “It’s not like he can go and do whatever he wants to do. I think he’s a very good person. You know, he stood very strongly with me on NATO when I said NATO has to pay up. … I think he’s trying very hard.”
The former president praised Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, for making some parts of the Ukraine aid as a forgivable loan.
His comments come as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Republican, continues to hold the motion-to-vacate threat over Mr. Johnson‘s head. She called on him to resign Sunday after the House on Saturday passed a foreign aid package that included aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
“Mike Johnson‘s speakership is over. He needs to do the right thing to resign and allow us to move forward in a controlled process,” Ms. Greene said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “If he doesn’t do so, he will be vacated.”
Mr. Trump‘s comments could help Mr. Johnson keep the speakership as Ms. Greene tries to recruit others to her cause. GOP Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona already have hopped on board.
But the Trump camp has signaled before that it is not happy with Ms. Greene’s actions. She is one of the most vocal Trump allies in Congress, and having the former president angry at her may start to weigh on her.
Republicans fear a motion to vacate would send the House into chaos and jeopardize their chance of getting more Republicans in the House and in the White House in November.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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