Speaker Johnson Retains Gavel As Late Votes Flip

Republican Mike Johnson won reelection to the House speakership on a first ballot Friday, pushing past GOP hard-right holdouts and buoyed with a nod of support from President-elect Donald Trump. 

NEWSMAX — The new Congress was thrown into chaos on its first day Friday as some Republicans defied incoming president Donald Trump to block Mike Johnson from returning as House Speaker.

The Louisiana congressman, who was boosted by several messages of support from Trump, needed a simple majority to be elected as Washington’s top legislator, who presides over House business and is second in line to the presidency.

WATCH: Speaker Mike Johnson promises to defund all woke initiatives in the U.S. military

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