Former President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson Join Forces for Election Integrity and Border Security Announcement

Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) are set to appear together at a news conference on Friday, marking their first public appearance since Johnson assumed the role of speaker. This event occurs amidst mounting efforts by one of Trump’s staunchest allies in Congress to remove Johnson from his position.

This meeting, touted as an announcement on “election integrity,” comes just after another rebellion by hard-right House Republicans earlier this week. They purposefully derailed a procedural vote on critical intelligence-gathering legislation as a warning to the speaker. However, the bill eventually passed on Friday.

Johnson finds himself in a precarious position during this period of his five-month speakership. He is currently negotiating a national security package that includes funding for Ukraine and other foreign allies. Additionally, he must address a challenge to his speakership from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Though Greene aims to remove the Louisiana Republican, Trump has not yet weighed in on the matter.

In what appears to be an unrelated move to Greene’s threat, Johnson and Trump have found common ground on two key issues: election integrity and border security. The duo has decided to unveil a new legislative effort during Johnson’s previously scheduled visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida.

Johnson’s bond with Trump dates back to early 2020 when Johnson served on the White House defense team during the president’s first Senate impeachment trial. Over time, Johnson crafted a legal brief that garnered the support of 125 House Republicans, urging the Supreme Court to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 election wins in four crucial states. Johnson’s expertise as a constitutional lawyer further aided his colleagues in constructing arguments against the certification of the election on January 6, 2021.

While Johnson’s support for Trump as a “MAGA Republican” earned him Trump’s endorsement when he ran for speaker following the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Trump did not expressly endorse Johnson during the speaker’s race. Nevertheless, Trump did suggest supporting the leading candidate, Johnson. Since becoming speaker, Johnson has frequently visited Mar-a-Lago for private meetings and fundraisers with Trump.

During the news conference on Friday, it remains unclear whether Trump will endorse Johnson’s handling of the ideologically divided House Republican conference publicly. Johnson faces several obstacles this month, starting with the reauthorization of a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This process, divided privacy and national security hawks within the conference. As some House Republicans, urged by Trump, obstructed the debate on the measure, Johnson acknowledges that such interference weakens their leverage in negotiations with the Senate and the White House.

Far-right members of the party also closely track Johnson’s handling of Ukraine funding. Greene has vowed to take action to remove Johnson from the speakership if he brings a Ukraine funding bill to the House floor. Greene remains dedicated to supporting Trump’s presidential campaign and asserts that she does not speak on Trump’s behalf.

Prior to Johnson, McCarthy developed a close relationship with Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. McCarthy’s unwavering allegiance to Trump, which earned him the moniker “My Kevin,” played a pivotal role in his political advancement. McCarthy often relied on this alliance to influence Trump’s endorsements, thereby aiding Republican victories. However, their relationship had its ups and downs, notably when McCarthy initially blamed Trump for the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.