WASHINGTON, Dec 31, (V7N) – With just days to go before the US House of Representatives votes on its next speaker, Republican Mike Johnson is locked in a tense battle to retain his gavel amid discontent from conservative hardliners within his party.

Even with the endorsement of President-elect Donald Trump, Johnson, 52, faces an uphill struggle to secure the speakership in a sharply divided chamber, where the slim Republican majority allows almost no room for dissent.

Conservative dissatisfaction with Johnson’s handling of spending negotiations during the tumultuous 2023-24 session looms large. Fiscal hawks have criticized him for conceding too much to Democrats, accusing him of being too lenient on budget deficits.

Johnson remains publicly optimistic, promising to advance Trump’s agenda if reelected. "Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

However, dissent within the Republican ranks could threaten his prospects. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky has already declared his opposition, citing Johnson's bipartisan approach to issues like Ukraine funding and domestic surveillance.

Trump’s endorsement of Johnson comes as the stakes rise ahead of his January 5 inauguration. The House must elect a speaker before conducting any business, including finalizing the certification of Trump’s election victory.

"Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hardworking, religious man," Trump wrote on Truth Social, pledging his "Complete & Total Endorsement."

Yet even Trump's support may not be enough. Influential voices, such as X owner Elon Musk—appointed by Trump as his "efficiency czar"—have echoed criticisms of Johnson.

With all members present, Johnson can afford just one Republican defection, assuming Democrats unify behind Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Some Republicans, wary of repeating past chaos, appear reluctant to oust Johnson. Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett acknowledged the fragile dynamics: "If a bad case of the flu comes through there, we're in the minority," he told CNN.

Johnson, who rose to prominence in 2023 as a compromise candidate after weeks of party infighting, has weathered previous leadership challenges. Last May, Trump ally Marjorie Taylor Greene attempted to unseat him, requiring Democratic votes to save his speakership.

This time, however, Democrats have ruled out coming to Johnson’s aid. "No Democrats" will rescue him, Jeffries told MSNBC before the holiday break.

With no clear challenger and little appetite for a repeat of the 2023 leadership turmoil, some Republicans are calling for unity. New York Representative Mike Lawler described the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy as "the single stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in politics."

Johnson’s fate now hinges on whether he can rally his party’s factions and maintain his leadership in a closely divided House.

END/WD/RH/