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☆ Biden’s antisemitism speech leaves no doubt he’s standing by Israel despite tension with Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —The political rawness of the moment, as Israel pounds Gaza and outrage rocks American college campuses, means President Joe Biden’s big speech Tuesday condemning antisemitism is most notable for what he left unsaid. The speech was closely watched given the turmoil in the Middle East and its stunning political reaction in the US. “My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad. While praising the right to free speech as a fundamental American value, he condemned reported instances when some Jewish students have faced antisemitic taunting. Understanding history and preventing it from being manipulated for political gain was a major focus of Biden’s speech, which was delivered on the 79th anniversary of VE Day, when the allies defeated Nazism in World War II.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, movingly, you’re, ” Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Joe ”, We’re, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Trump, Stormy Daniels, “, ” Johnson, Netanyahu, —, Mike Johnson, ’ Organizations: CNN, Jewish, Hamas, Holocaust Memorial, Capitol, Arab, Israel, Gaza Health Ministry, Democratic, Trump, Republicans, Republican, Louisiana Republican, White, GOP, Nazism Locations: Israel, Gaza, Nazi, Rafah, Michigan, Manhattan, Nazi Germany, United States, Louisiana, Charlottesville , Virginia, Gestapo

☆ Johnson looks to unify GOP with crack down on college campus protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“Anti-Israel protests on college campuses threaten Jewish students,” says the ad, which was shared first with CNN. While supporters of the legislation say it will help combat antisemitism on college campuses, opponents argue it overreaches and threatens to chill free speech. Some Democrats see the new investigative effort into college campuses and Johnson’s recent visit to Columbia University as a divisive political ploy. “Clearly it’s a very high priority for him,” GOP Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Science Committee, told CNN. House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, who sits on the Education panel, is also expected to play a prominent role in the effort.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, speakership, ” Johnson, “, ”, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Nick Fuentes, Pramila Jayapal, Joe Biden, James Comer, Lisa McClain, Biden, “ I’ve, Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, Virginia Foxx, Elise Stefanik, Jim Jordan, Comer, ” Comer, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Republican, House Democratic, GOP, Louisiana Republican, Columbia University, Democrats, White, Department, Education, International Holocaust, Alliance, Columbia, Michigan, House Education, Workforce Committee, House Science, North Carolina, Yale University, University of California, University of Michigan, House GOP, New York Republican, Science, Republicans, George Washington University, Kentucky Republican Locations: Louisiana, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lago, Washington, Columbia, University of California Los Angeles, “, Ohio

☆ House passes antisemitism bill as Johnson highlights campus protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

“The bill sweeps too broadly.”Speaker Johnson puts a spotlight on campus protestsHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has increasingly put a spotlight on campus protests. Last week, the Louisiana Republican visited Columbia University to meet with Jewish students and hold a press conference where he called on the university’s president to resign. CAIR has reported record incidents of Islamophobia on campus, and the Anti-Defamation League has recorded a historic number of incidents of violence and threats against Jewish students. Some Jewish students have said they were threatened by protesters and encountered antisemitic rhetoric at some of the rallies. The White House and multiple governors have voiced support for Jewish students and urged protesters and universities to exercise restraint.

Persons: New York Republican Mike Lawler, “, ”, Josh Gottheimer, Max Miller, Jared Moskowitz, Jerry Nadler, Johnson, Mike Johnson, Virginia Foxx, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Trump, Nick Fuentes, Kanye, ” Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, CNN’s David Goldman, Ramishah Maruf, Kate Sullivan Organizations: CNN, Department, Education, International Holocaust, Alliance, Critics, GOP, Senate, New York Republican, New, New Jersey Democrat, Ohio Republican, Florida Democrat, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, Democratic, ”, Louisiana Republican, Columbia University, Republicans, House Education, Yale, UCLA, Committee, Jewish, White, Kanye West, CAIR, Defamation Locations: Israel, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, New York, Louisiana, North Carolina, Michigan, Columbia, Lago, Charlottesville , Virginia, United States, Gaza

Washington CNN —GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced Wednesday she will force a vote over House Speaker Mike Johnson’s ouster next week – a move that comes after Democrats have said they will vote to kill the effort and ensure Johnson doesn’t lose his job. “This motion is wrong for the Republican Conference, wrong for the institution, and wrong for the country,” the speaker said in a statement after Greene’s announcement. Greene originally filed the motion to oust Johnson in March amid conservative anger over the Louisiana Republican’s handling of the government funding fight. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed, but it can still be preempted. It was a warning to stop serving the Democrats and support our Republican conference and support our agenda.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson doesn’t, “, ”, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Greene, Donald Trump, Trump, President Trump, ” Greene, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Hakeem Jeffries, Mike Johnson, Jeffries, CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Aileen Graef Organizations: Washington CNN, GOP, Republican Conference, Republican, House Democratic, ”, Democratic Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine

☆ Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives. Looming over Johnson as lawmakers come back to Washington is the question of whether he will face a vote over his ouster. A number of conservatives, however, opposed the legislation — and sending further aid to Ukraine in particular. So far, two other House Republicans have publicly backed the effort — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson “, doesn’t, I’ve, ” Johnson, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene gaggles, Greene, Kent Nishimura, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Texas, @SpeakerJohnson, ” CNN’s Kit Maher, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, GOP, ” Republican, CNN, Getty, Columbia University Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Georgia, Washington ,, Taiwan, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Johnson, Columbia

☆ McCaul commends Speaker Johnson’s transformation following foreign aid vote
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Avery Lotz | Michelle Shen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul applauded House Speaker Mike Johnson Sunday for bringing foreign aid legislation to his chamber’s floor, characterizing the move as “a profile in courage.”“I am so proud of the speaker, Mike Johnson,” the Texas Republican, who has been a staunch supporter of passing additional foreign aid, said on ABC’s “This Week.” “He went through a transformation. At the end of the day, a profile in courage is putting the nation above yourself, and that’s what he did. Asked if he believes Johnson’s job is in jeopardy following the successful vote, McCaul argued “stock in Mike Johnson has gone way up” and that the speaker has “garnered a lot of respect” from both sides of the aisle. But Trump has not commented publicly about the package the House passed on Saturday and has previously expressed support for Johnson’s speakership. “What (Trump) wants is for a lifeline to be given to Ukraine,” McCaul contended, “so that when he gets into office … he can then negotiate and save it.”

Persons: Michael McCaul, Mike Johnson, ”, ‘, ’, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, —, ” McCaul, “, McCaul, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: CNN — House Foreign, Texas Republican, Senate, Republicans, firebrand Rep, House, Louisiana Republican, CNN, House Republicans, Russia, NATO, Johnson’s Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Louisiana, United States

I think providing aid to Ukraine right now is critically important,” the speaker added. House TVThe speaker’s embrace of Ukraine aid represents a remarkable evolution for Johnson, who voted against funding for the country as a rank-and-file member. Johnson drags his feetJohnson did not come to his decision on how to handle foreign aid quickly. “Slow,” New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said when asked how Johnson handled Ukraine aid. In recent weeks, allies counseled Johnson to keep the former president in the loop on his potential foreign aid plans.

Persons: Manu Raju ”, Johnson, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, Taiwan –, Michael McCaul, “, ” Johnson, Derrick Van Orden, Matt Gaetz, ”, Johnson –, Kevin McCarthy, –, Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, Mike Pompeo, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Bill Burns, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Jeffries, Biden, Mitch McConnell, Gregory Meeks, Patrick McHenry of, Trump, Johnson’s, ” Trump, Eli Crane, McCarthy, Bob Good, Johnson “, Greene, Al Green, Van Orden, Gaetz, I’m, ” Van Orden, Chip Roy’s, Bob Good’s, Kent Nishimura, Paul Gosar, Johnson’s speakership, We’re, we’ve, Tom Cole of, ” Cole, “ There’s, Warren Davidson, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: GOP, CNN, Democratic, Louisiana Republican, Foreign, ”, Florida Republican, Senate, Republican, Ukraine, CIA, Naval Academy, Israel, Internal Revenue Service, New York Rep, House Foreign Affairs, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, Lago, Arizona, Democratic Rep, Navy, Navy Seals, Wisconsin Republican, Capitol, Democrats, Republicans, GOP Rep, ” Veteran GOP Locations: Iran, Israel, Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Taiwan, Florida, American, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Patrick McHenry of North, Iranian, Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, House, Arizona, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ohio

☆ These House Republicans want to boot Mike Johnson from the speakership
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a "motion to vacate" against Speaker Mike Johnson in March. She argues that Johnson has betrayed the GOP, in part by allowing more Ukraine aid to pass. Since then, more Republicans have signed onto her effort, but Democrats could protect Johnson. AdvertisementRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't think Mike Johnson deserves his job anymore. The Georgia congresswoman is getting back-up on the so-called "motion to vacate" she filed against the GOP speaker of the House in March: two more Republicans signed on this week.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Johnson, —, Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy, Greene, Bill Clark, Johnson Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Massie, Paul Gosar Organizations: GOP, Service, Rep, Louisiana Republican, Inc, Getty, Republicans, Kentucky, Arizona, America Locations: Ukraine, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana

Gosar huddled on the House floor earlier in the day with GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, the other two co-sponsors of the motion to vacate the speakership. The House adjourned for the rest of the day on Friday afternoon, meaning the earliest Greene could move to oust Johnson is Saturday. A floor vote to oust Johnson would require a majority to succeed. “My position is that I’m open, and I’m not going to tell you guys what I’m going to do. The speaker was surrounded on the House floor on Thursday by a number of far-right lawmakers in a heated discussion.

Persons: Paul Gosar, Mike Johnson, Gosar, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Greene, Johnson, Chip Roy, “ I’m, ”, “, Eli Crane, Kevin McCarthy, I’m, ” Crane, ’, Dan Bishop, we’ve, Bishop, Gosar’s, Bob Good, CNN’s Manu Raju, Johnson “, Ralph Norman, hardliner, “ We’ve, We’ll, Mike, Norman Organizations: Washington CNN —, Arizona Republican, GOP, Conservative, The Arizona Republican, Washington, ’ ”, Republican Conference, North Carolina Republican, CNN, Louisiana Republican Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Louisiana

Right-wing lawmakers are ramping up their threats to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his role after Johnson’s supporters pushed him to make it harder to oust him from the speakership. The House is finished with floor action for the day, which means that the earliest that Greene could make a motion to oust Johnson would be on Friday. At one point, Johnson was surrounded on the House floor by a number of far-right lawmakers in a heated discussion. Democrats weigh how to proceedThe House Rules Committee is meeting Thursday morning to begin considering the foreign aid bills. One thing that is hanging over discussions is that many Democrats view Johnson as a more honest broker than McCarthy.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson’s, Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, “, Matt Gaetz, Derrick Van Orden, Gaetz “ tubby, ”, Van Orden, ” Greene, “ Mike Johnson, CNN’s Manu Raju, “, it’s, Anna Paulina Luna, ’, Luna, Dan Kildee, Pramila, ” Jayapal, Mike Quigley, ” Quigley, Jared Moskowitz, McCarthy, he’s, CNN’s Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, Georgia Rep, Republicans, Punchbowl News, GOP, Republican, Conservative, House Democratic Caucus, ” Democratic, Democrat, Democratic Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Washington, “

☆ Mike Johnson: Doing ‘the right thing’ may cost the speaker his gavel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —It took less than six months for Speaker Mike Johnson to reach his existential moment. His tiny majority means he can’t afford to lose more than one GOP vote to pass a bill on a party-line vote. But a GOP speaker dependent on Democratic votes will be seen by many Republicans as a tool of the minority party and would be on borrowed time. In this way, those who oppose Ukraine aid on principle could vote against it, allowing Democrats who support it to ensure its passage. These are important responsibilities,” Johnson told Tapper.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Ryan, John Boehner –, Johnson, ” Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie of, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Greene, Chip Roy, Roy, ”, –, CNN’s Manu Raju, ’ Johnson, he’s, Tapper, “, Dan Crenshaw, CNN’s Raju, Johnson “, ” Trump, hasn’t, bankrolling, Dwight Eisenhower, George W, Bush, Vladimir Putin doesn’t, We’re, Putin, Xi, Lloyd Austin, Biden, he’d Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, Texas Rep, Democratic, GOP, White, Texas GOP, Lago, Trump, Senate, “, ”, House Defense Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Mexico, Kyiv, Washington, Texas, Mar, Trumpism, Europe, Iran, North Korea, British, Jordanian, Russia, Russia’s, United States

Still, sources believe Emmer is working to improve his stock inside both the House GOP and MAGA world, and keeping his options open for the future. Others who could be waiting in the wings: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who also previously ran for speaker, and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, a top Trump ally. During the press conference, Johnson got some key backup from the former president. And a large swath of the House GOP conference agrees. Louisiana GOP Rep. Garret Graves warned against the idea of ousting Johnson without another speaker candidate waiting in the wings.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s, Tom Emmer, Emmer, Donald Trump –, Trump, “ Tom, …, Dan Meuser, ”, Meuser, “, Neither, MAGA, Jim Jordan, Jordan, Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas Massie of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, “ He’s, ” Greene, Greene, Emmer’s speakership, Johnson trekked, Marc Molinaro, Garret Graves, There’s, ” Graves, ” Jordan, ” Morgan Rimmer, Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Louisiana Republican, House Republicans, Minnesota Republican, Caucus, ”, Trump, House GOP, Ohio Republican, GOP Rep, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Republicans, “, “ Republican, Mar, Lago, New, New York Republican, Louisiana GOP Rep Locations: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, –, Iowa, Minnesota, Louisiana, New York

“I am not resigning,” Johnson told reporters. Massie told Republican colleagues behind closed doors Tuesday morning that he will cosponsor the motion to vacate Johnson from his position. And then I said, ‘Well, you’re the one who’s going to put us into this,’ because the motion is going to get called up. In making his announcement Monday, the Louisiana Republican predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills. The Senate passed its bill in February – a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Thomas Massie, “, ” Johnson, Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trent Kelly, Mississippi, it’s, ” Massie, Kevin McCarthy, –, Republicans “, Republican – Greene –, ”, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Republican, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, CNN, Democratic, GOP, Republicans, Democrats, Senate, Internal Revenue Service Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Louisiana, Taiwan, Georgia

☆ House sends Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Annie Grayer | Priscilla Alvarez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —House Republicans have sent to the Senate two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a step that launches a trial in the Senate as GOP lawmakers seek to highlight President Joe Biden’s handling of immigration policy. House Republicans do not have the votes or concrete evidence to impeach Biden given their razor-thin majority, leaving that separate impeachment inquiry stalled. GOP arguments for impeachment and pushback from constitutional expertsWhen Johnson originally informed Schumer he would be sending the impeachment articles over to the Senate, he laid out why he believed a Mayorkas impeachment was justified. “These articles lay out a clear, compelling, and irrefutable case for Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ impeachment,” Green said in a statement provided to CNN. “I think that what the House Republicans are asserting is that Secretary Mayorkas is guilty of maladministration,” Garber said.

Persons: Alejandro Mayorkas, Joe Biden’s, Mayorkas, Biden, —, impeaching Biden, ”, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Trump, Ian Sams, Johnson, Schumer, Mark Green of, Alejandro Mayorkas ’, ” Green, systemically, Samuel Alito, Ross Garber, ” Garber, “, Michael Chertoff, George W, Bush, Jonathan Turley, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, “ I’m, CNN’s Manu Raju, I’ve, –, John Thune, ” Johnson, Pro Tempore Patty Murray, Michael McCaul of, Andy Biggs of, Clay Higgins, Ben Cline of Virginia, Michael Guest of, Andrew Garbarino, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Pfluger, Harriet Hageman of, Laurel Lee, CNN’s Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN — House Republicans, Homeland, Senate, Democratic, Republicans, Homeland Security, Biden, House Republicans, DHS, ’, Louisiana Republican, Truth, White, CNN, Congress, Tulane University, Republican, Senate Democratic, Mayorkas, Pro Tempore Locations: Louisiana, Mark Green of Tennessee, Washington, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Michael Guest of Mississippi, New York, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Texas, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Laurel Lee of Florida

☆ House Democrats keep options open as effort to oust Johnson grows
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Lauren Fox | Kristin Wilson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

He’d let Putin take all of Europe,” Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz said on CNN after Massie announced Tuesday he’d join Greene in her effort to oust Johnson. “Let’s just hope that that does not happen, and that we can do our responsibilities, protect and defend our own democracy as we protect theirs,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “If Speaker Johnson wants to talk to Hakeem Jeffries, I think we’d be open to something like that. If only a handful of Republicans vote to oust Johnson, only a handful of Democrats would be needed to step in and help him keep his job. And that is where Democrats would have to decide if they’d help Johnson.

Persons: Mike Johnson, institutionalists, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Kevin McCarthy, Israel, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, He’d, Putin, Jared Moskowitz, Massie, he’d, Greene, Tom Suozzi, Johnson –, “ Let’s, Nancy Pelosi, “, Johnson’s, Sara Jacobs, ”, Jeffries, hypotheticals, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, –, Chuck Schumer, ’ –, Alejandro Mayorkas –, wouldn’t, Ann Kuster, Mike Gallagher, they’d, ‘, ’ Jeffries, Gerry Connolly, “ It’s, Rosa DeLauro, We’ve, can’t, “ We’ve, Jamie Raskin, Jim Himes, “ Gerry, ” Himes Organizations: CNN — House, Democratic, Union, ”, CNN, New York Democratic, Republicans, California Democratic, Florida Rep, White, Foreign Intelligence, of Homeland, GOP, ” New Hampshire Democratic, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Maryland Democratic, House Intelligence Locations: Israel, Europe, ” Florida, California, Ukraine, Louisiana, Haiti, Sudan, Gaza, “, Connecticut

Johnson predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills. “My personal preference is to do it individually, but we’ll let the body decide.”Among the ways GOP leaders plan to address Ukraine aid: a bill to seize Russian assets, a lend-lease program for Ukraine military aid and convertible loans for humanitarian relief. Former President Donald Trump, who recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, has expressed openness to structuring Ukraine aid as a loan. The Senate passed its bill in February – a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities. A significant number of House Republicans are opposed to sending further aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, “, haven’t, that’s, we’ll, Donald Trump, Kevin Hern, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Greene, ”, “ He’s, he’ll, Marjorie, President Trump, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Kristin Wilson Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, GOP, Republican, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Internal Revenue Service, Fox News, White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Mar, Oklahoma, Louisiana, East, Eastern Europe

☆ Trump’s extreme rhetoric is a mainstay of his 2024 campaign. Much of it could become a reality if he wins another term
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Phil Mattingly | Andrew Seger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

His pledge to direct Justice Department investigations is backed by allies who view his second term as driven by a maximalist theory of a president’s authority. But it also underscores why a second Trump term would be dramatically different. Some in Washington saw them as guardrails for a White House intent on fracturing not one, but all three branches of government. Yet Trump, should he secure a second term, would enter the White House with his most powerful Republican critics on Capitol Hill almost all gone. That would be a position that isn’t backed by his second term policy plans, or his private impulses during his first term in office – or, for that matter, in the decades prior.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, guardrails Trump, Jack Smith, Trump, ” Trump, Biden, ”, Joe Biden, he’s, He’s, Liz Cheney, Hillary Clinton, Clinton, John Kerry, John Bolton, It’s, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Ryan, ” McConnell, Mike Johnson, “, aren’t, Trump’s, – “, Hugh Hewitt, ” “, Charlie Rose, Rose, Larry King, Erin Burnett Organizations: CNN, Republican, Department, Capitol, Democrats, Trump, White, GOP, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Democratic, Trump’s Justice, Bolton, Congressional Republicans, Wisconsin Republican, Louisiana Republican, Mar, White House, Justice Department, CNBC Locations: Washington, Wisconsin, Louisiana

☆ Governing the ungovernable
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Jess Bidgood | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When members of Congress return to Washington from their home districts, they often trudge to Capitol Hill for a tally known as a “bed check,” a low-stakes vote series that is mostly aimed at taking attendance. The majority led by Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, keeps shrinking. Restive members of the far-right Freedom Caucus frequently derail his plans. “The Lord Jesus himself could not manage this conference,” Representative Troy Nehls of Texas, a Republican, said on CNN this week. “You just can’t do it.”

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene dangles, Jesus, Troy Nehls, “, ” Organizations: Capitol, Louisiana Republican, Republican, ”, CNN Locations: Washington, Louisiana, Ukraine, Georgia, Texas

The House has put a modified surveillance bill on track for final passage as soon as Friday, just days after an earlier version failed to advance in a public rebuke to GOP leadership. The House voted Friday morning to approve the rule governing debate surrounding the modified bill behind Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act reauthorization, a key step before final passage. Greene was seen on the House floor speaking to Johnson, who later told reporters the two spoke about “all sorts of things.”“Marjorie and I agree on our conservative philosophy,” Johnson said. Johnson organized a classified reading room off the House floor for members to view classified information ahead of Friday’s vote, according to a GOP leadership aide. White House National Security communications adviser John Kirby reiterated the White House’s support for the reauthorization ahead of the final House floor vote expected later Friday.

Persons: Mike Johnson –, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Greene, ” “ Marjorie, ” Johnson, “, Donald Trump, ”, Joe Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, Kirby, CNN’s Aileen Graef Organizations: Foreign Intelligence, GOP, Louisiana Republican, FISA, Trump, House, FBI, Senate, reauthorization, White, National Security Locations: Louisiana, Georgia, Ukraine, Florida, Iran

CNN —House conservatives revolted against GOP leadership and defeated a FISA rule vote on the floor Wednesday, the latest blow to Speaker Mike Johnson that comes after former President Donald Trump called on Republicans to kill the bill. “KILL FISA,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Johnson told members at a closed-door conference meeting Wednesday morning that he spoke with Trump Tuesday night. But, according to members, Johnson told them they didn’t discuss FISA. In his call to “kill FISA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, “IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Trump, “, ” Trump, Johnson, Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, Tim Burchett, ”, Marjorie Taylor Greene, surveil Trump, Carter Page, ” Johnson, ” CNN’s Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN, GOP, FISA, Republicans, Foreign Intelligence, Reforming Intelligence, Republican, Florida GOP, Tennessee GOP, Trump, The Georgia Republican, Authority, National Defense, FBI, House Republicans, Truth Locations: Louisiana, Florida, Trump’s

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene escalates pressure on Speaker Johnson as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In the letter, Greene laid out a detailed case against the speaker, accusing Johnson of failing to deliver on promises he ran on and breaking legislative procedural rules. She even blamed him for jeopardizing the House Republican majority by not doing more to prevent some retiring GOP members from leaving Congress early. Part of the argument to try and dissuade Greene from moving forward with the process, according to sources, is that ousting Johnson would only deliver Democrats the House majority. “And no, electing a new Republican Speaker will not give the majority to the Democrats. That only happens if more Republicans retire early, or Republicans actually vote for Hakeem Jeffries.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, Greene, Marjorie, “ Mike Johnson, ” Greene, ”, “, Johnson’s, Thomas Massie, Chip Roy, Warren Davidson, CNN’s Manu Raju, ” “ I’ve, Kevin McCarthy, she’s, that’s, Mike Johnson, Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, It’s, Donald Trump, of Justice that’s, ” CNN’s Haley Talbot, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN, GOP, House GOP, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Democratic, White House, Republicans, ”, of Justice Locations: Georgia, Washington, Louisiana, Ukraine

☆ Greene keeps alive campaign to oust Johnson and warns against new push for Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Johnson, presumably, could be helped by Democrats who want Ukraine aid as a price for helping the Louisiana Republican keep his job. Johnson has tried to ease tensions, saying on Fox this week of Greene: “She’s trying to send a message. But as she targets Johnson, Greene predicted her support would “continue to grow” and had “gained momentum”– though she declined to comment when asked which Republicans and how many were behind her effort. “We cannot get anyone more moderate than Mike Johnson,” Greene said. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to move the needle in that race in favor of John McGuire.”CNN’s Morgan Rimmer contributed.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, “, ”, Johnson, Greene, I’m, Vladimir Putin, Hakeem Jeffries, Bob Good, Donald Trump, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy, Gaetz, Johnson’s, wouldn’t, Mitch McConnell, he’s, Mitch McConnell’s, Nancy Pelosi, John McGuire, she’s grandstanding, Ron DeSantis, Trump, DeSantis, McGuire, ” CNN’s Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN —, CNN, Georgia, Ukraine, Democratic, GOP, Democrats, Louisiana Republican, House Republicans, Russian, Fox, ”, Democrat, Virginia, Republicans, White, Republican, Virginia Republican, Good, Florida Gov, Trump Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Louisiana, Florida, He’s, ”, Good’s

☆ House Speaker Mike Johnson remains undecided on best path ahead on Ukraine aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson is pledging to act on Ukraine aid when lawmakers return to Washington next week, but behind the scenes the Louisiana Republican is still undecided on the best path forward and keenly aware of his narrow majority and the threat to his speakership that looms. “He’s got a gun to his head right now,” Rep. Don Bacon, a swing-district Republican, said of the speaker. Greene and Johnson are expected to talk later this week, but the Georgia Republican has remained steadfast in her opposition to Ukraine aid. Given fierce conservative opposition and a narrow margin, it’s possible Johnson could need to bring any Ukraine aid bill to the floor under a suspension of the rules. In recent days, Johnson has also floated the idea of easing natural gas exports, but it’s not clear that would do much to assuage conservative backlash against Ukraine aid.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, “ He’s, ” Rep, Don Bacon, Churchill, ” Johnson, Mitch McConnell, –, Mike McCaul, “, Mike, Chip Roy, Matt Gaetz, I’ve, he’s, they’d, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, ” Greene, ”, Brian Fitzpatrick, Fitzpatrick, It’s, John Kirby, CNN’s Haley Talbot, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, ”, Republican, GOP, Republican Rep, Fox News, CNN, Georgia Republican, Democratic, House, White, National Security Communications Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Louisiana, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Texas, Pennsylvania, Gaza

☆ GOP Rep. Mike Lawler says he’s ‘confident’ Ukraine funding will get a vote after Easter recess
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Jack Forrest | Andrew Millman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Rep. Mike Lawler, a moderate Republican from New York, expressed optimism on Sunday that a vote on funding for Ukraine’s war effort could land on the House floor when members return from recess early next month. Divisions in the House GOP have so far stymied progress on sending aid to the key US ally. I am not going to delve into the details of that conversation, but I am confident that he’s going to bring that bill to the floor and that we will have a vote,” Lawler said. Lawler called Greene’s effort to oust Johnson “idiotic.”“It’s not actually going to help advance the cause she believes in, and in fact it undermines our House Republican majority,” Lawler said. Democrats have signaled they may be willing to save Johnson if he moves a Ukraine aid bill they can support, but one including new border restrictions, as Lawler has suggested, falls outside their demands.

Persons: Mike Lawler, “, ” Lawler, CNN’s Dana, shirk, Jared Golden of, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Johnson, Mike Turner, Johnson, Congress ’, CBS’s, ” “, Vladimir, Putin, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lawler, “ It’s, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju, Clare Foran, Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: CNN —, GOP, House Foreign Affairs, Union, Democratic, Republican, House, Congress, Ohio Republican, Russia, Republicans, House Republicans, CNN Locations: New York, “ State, Jared Golden of Maine, Pennsylvania, Ukraine, Louisiana, Israel, Mexico

WASHINGTON (AP) — For over a month, House Speaker Mike Johnson has sat on a funding package that would send desperately needed ammunition and weaponry to Ukraine, mulling how best to gain a grasp of what is expected to be a difficult lift in the House. The Republican speaker has indicated he will attempt to push for approval of tens of billions in wartime funding for Ukraine, as well as Israel, once the House returns in April. “We'll turn our attention to it and we won't delay on that,” the Louisiana representative said of the Ukraine package at a news conference last week. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican from Georgia, has filed a motion to vacate Johnson as speaker and warned him not to put Ukraine funding on the House floor. Before becoming speaker, Johnson was deeply skeptical of approving funding for Ukraine and voted repeatedly against it.

Persons: Mike Johnson, “, Johnson, Gregory Meeks, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, ” Johnson, Ronald Reagan, ”, Michael McCaul, Greene, Don Bacon, Shelby Magid Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Ukraine, NATO, Rep, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Capitol, Senate, Kyiv, Republicans, Democrats, Senior Republicans, House Foreign Relations, CBS, House, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Louisiana, Russia, Kyiv, Georgia, Gaza, Washington, “, Europe

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