House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to join Donald Trump on Friday, a move that could potentially fuel the former president’s unfounded claims about widespread election fraud. Johnson, the highest-ranking elected Republican, is fighting to retain his position amidst opposition from Trump-backed members within his own party. The meeting will take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the unofficial power center of the GOP.
This gathering comes at a time when Trump’s allies are undermining Johnson’s authority and even threatening to overthrow him. The meeting also precedes Trump’s unprecedented trial as a former president, related to a hush money payment to an adult film star, by three days.
Trump’s Legal Battles and Johnson’s Political Struggles
On Friday, another twist in Trump’s legal saga is expected as Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, hears an attempt by two of Trump’s co-defendants to dismiss a case related to his alleged hoarding of classified documents. The timing of the trial, however, remains uncertain due to the judge’s unhurried approach to pre-trial litigation.
The public statement by Johnson and Trump on Friday is expected to focus on “election integrity,” a term often used by Trump to propagate conspiracy theories and misinformation about the 2020 election. This narrative forms the basis of his potential 2024 presidential bid. Johnson’s visit to Trump’s residence could indicate his willingness to support Trump’s baseless claims about a stolen election, a prerequisite for gaining the ex-president’s backing.
Trump’s Election Falsehoods and the GOP
Trump’s unfounded claims about election integrity have permeated the GOP’s power structures. The Republican National Committee (RNC) has intensified its campaigning and fundraising efforts based on the false premise that the 2020 election was corrupt. This narrative has also inspired many GOP state legislatures to pass laws in the name of election security, which critics argue could suppress voting and allow political interference in elections.
Despite multiple failed lawsuits and testimony from his own Attorney General William Barr about the lack of widespread voter fraud in 2020, Trump continues to propagate his false narrative. Johnson’s support for Trump’s “election integrity” campaign demonstrates the extent to which Trump’s conspiracy theories have consumed the GOP.
Johnson’s Political Future Hangs in the Balance
Johnson’s speakership is under threat, with his majority hanging by a thread. This week, 19 Republican lawmakers, including key Trump allies, blocked a procedural vote on reauthorizing surveillance authorities on foreigners overseas, a move seen as vital in the fight against terrorism. They acted on Trump’s claims that he was spied on by US espionage agencies during his 2016 campaign.
Johnson also faces a challenge from Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump supporter who has threatened to oust the speaker if he allows a vote on Biden’s delayed $60 billion arms and ammunition package for Ukraine. Despite a tense meeting with Greene this week, Johnson may be hoping that Trump’s influence could help him retain his position.
However, Trump’s political favors are notoriously unpredictable, and his support could change at any moment depending on his own political needs. This unpredictability was demonstrated when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, despite his efforts to please Trump, received little support from the ex-president during his political downfall last year.
As Johnson prepares for his meeting with Trump, the fate of his speakership hangs in the balance.