House Leadership Challenge Draws Sharp Warning from NY's Lawler
Representative Mike Lawler of New York issued a stern caution to his Republican colleagues regarding potential efforts to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson, describing such actions as "playing with fire" and potentially disruptive as President-elect Trump prepares to take office.
Johnson faces mounting pressure from certain ultraconservative members following his support of an interim spending measure that diverged from Trump's original position on raising the US debt limit, with the speaker vote approaching on Jan. 3.
"These individuals are engaging in a dangerous game," Lawler emphasized during his appearance on ABC's This Week. "Their assumption about securing a more conservative speaker is fundamentally misguided."
Lawler noted Republicans hold 219 House seats, requiring 218 votes to elect a speaker without Democratic backing. Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie has already declared his opposition to Johnson.
Internal Republican discord last year resulted in Kevin McCarthy's removal from the speaker position, which Lawler characterized as "the single most ill-advised political decision I've witnessed.
"Similarly, removing Mike Johnson would be equally unwise," he added.
Trump's commanding electoral victory in November, coupled with his influence over House Republicans, positions him to potentially leverage his authority in installing an alternative speaker, though he's maintained public silence regarding Johnson's position.
"Without a speaker, we're unable to proceed with any business, including the certification of President Trump's election on Jan. 6," Lawler stated. "Expending time on an internal power struggle is simply ridiculous."