Days after receiving a warning from a far-right member, Mike Johnson sought advice from an unexpected source: Matt Gaetz, the firebrand GOP Rep.
from Florida who previously led an effort to remove a speaker.
Gaetz, a strong supporter of Johnson, advised the new speaker to secure some conservative wins in the coming weeks amidst the threat of a potential motion to vacate the speaker’s chair.
Gaetz emphasized the importance of fighting for House Republican victories.
"I gave the speaker some unsolicited advice.
That we’ve got to get into a fighting posture.
And I was very pleased with how the speaker received that advice,” Gaetz confirmed in an interview with CNN.
“The speaker wants to put wins on the board for House Republicans, and we better start doing that. … I’m glad the speaker hasn’t rolled over to the $95 billion Ukraine supplemental that the Senate passed, and I think that he’s forging a better path on that issue as we speak.”
Johnson, armed with various tools as speaker, aims to appease his right flank, which was angered by a recent bipartisan spending deal.
However, the fate of his speakership may pivot on how he navigates the next divisive policy issue: funding for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Asked if he’d reconsider supporting Johnson if a Ukraine bill lacking spending cuts is proposed, Gaetz said: “If there were no offsets we’d be really disappointed.
I think we need to not deficit-spend to fund Ukraine.
I also think that we need to have our own border prioritized. And I think Speaker Johnson shares that viewpoint.”
Although GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion to vacate, she has not yet taken the necessary steps to force a floor vote, keeping the threat in reserve.
Allies close to Johnson doubt Greene's resolve and believe she would lack support from both sides if she pursued the motion.
Johnson addressed Greene’s push to oust him, calling it a “distraction from our mission,” and expressed his intent to meet with her early in the week.
While Greene has publicly criticized Johnson, sources indicate she is keeping her actual plan private, confiding only in a few allies.
Hardliners in the House Freedom Caucus, including some who supported McCarthy’s removal, are not showing the same eagerness to oust Johnson.
Despite the support Johnson currently enjoys, many Republicans warn that his handling of Ukraine aid upon the House's return in April could be crucial in determining their continued support.