Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday night visited former President Donald J. Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to a person familiar with the meeting, making his first pilgrimage to kiss the ring of the Republican presidential front-runner since his surprise elevation to the top post in the House last month.
The visit to Mr. Trump’s Florida home came at a tricky moment for the inexperienced speaker, who is already facing criticism from hard-right allies livid at him for teaming with Democrats last week to pass legislation to avert a government shutdown.
The person confirmed the private meeting on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it.
Mr. Trump’s influence over spending fights in Washington may be limited, but Mr. Johnson’s decision to meet with him within weeks of his election is a sign he knows he cannot afford to have Mr. Trump weighing in publicly against him and hardening right-wing opposition to his leadership.
Mr. Johnson has taken other steps to ingratiate himself to the far right and cement his hold on the gavel.
Persons:
Mike Johnson, Donald J, Trump, Johnson, ingratiate
Organizations:
Republican, Capitol, Mr
Locations:
Lago, Florida, Trump’s Florida, Washington