Former President Trump has implored House Republicans to reject a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, urging them to prioritize unity and focus on defeating the "Radical Left Democrats."
Former President Donald Trump has strongly urged House Republicans to reject a motion to vacate the speakership of Mike Johnson, calling for party unity and a focus on combating the "Radical Left Democrats." Trump's intervention comes as a direct response to the move initiated by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to force a vote on Johnson's removal.
Greene's decision to bring forward the motion has caught many political observers by surprise, as she has previously expressed strong support for Trump. However, in a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that this is "not the time" for Republicans to weaken their position by ousting Johnson.
Trump praised Greene's "Spirit" and "Fight," but stressed that the party's immediate priority should be to maintain a united front against the Democrats. He noted that Republicans have a slim majority in the House and cannot afford to engage in internal divisions.
"With a Majority of One, shortly growing to three or four, we’re not in a position of voting on a Motion to Vacate," Trump wrote. "At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time."
Trump warned that any perception of disunity within the Republican ranks would undermine their efforts to challenge the Democrats' agenda. He urged Republicans to prioritize their shared goals and support Johnson's leadership.
"But if we show DISUNITY, which will be portrayed as CHAOS, it will negatively affect everything," Trump wrote. "Mike Johnson is a good man who is trying very hard. I also wish certain things were done over the last period of two months, but we will get them done, together."
Trump's comments were widely seen as a rebuke to Greene's motion, and they were met with overwhelming support from House members. The motion to table Greene's proposal passed by a decisive vote of 359 to 43, with only 11 Republicans and 32 Democrats opposing it.
House GOP leadership rallied behind Johnson, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the party. Johnson received the support of 196 Republicans, while 163 Democrats also voted to shield him.
The House chamber erupted in cheers from the Republican side when Greene's motion was squashed. The episode has highlighted the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party between its traditional establishment wing and the more extreme elements represented by Greene.
Greene has been a vocal critic of Johnson's handling of government funding and foreign aid, and she has threatened to force a vote on his removal since late March. Her motion, known as a motion to vacate the chair, is now expected to be voted on or tabled within the next two legislative days.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
