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NEW YORK − A key House Republican ally of President Donald Trump sharpened her attacks against House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, told the Wall Street Journal that Johnson, the Louisiana Republican leading the House of Representatives, was ineffective and a "political novice." Stefanik, formerly the fourth-ranking House Republican and now a candidate for governor of her state, said Johnson has lost control of his conference, which has a narrow hold of the chamber.
“He certainly wouldn’t have the votes to be speaker if there was a roll-call vote tomorrow,” Stefanik told the newspaper in comments published Dec. 3. “I believe that the majority of Republicans would vote for new leadership.”
Under Johnson, Stefanik told the Journal that House Republicans have underperformed for the first time in the Trump era. The president is "the leader of the Republicans and he certainly doesn’t need Mike Johnson," she said.
Her attacks are significant heading into the 2026 midterm elections as Republicans seek to keep their narrow control in the House. Back in New York, Stefanik has launched her gubernatorial campaign against Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul.
Responding to Stefanik’s Journal interview, Johnson told reporters he wasn’t sure how to comment on what Stefanik was doing or the rationale behind her comments.
“But you can talk to Republicans in Congress, 99.9% are united,” he said, according to a transcript from his office. “We're working together to keep delivering our agenda and that's my focus.”
The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Johnson, who’s served as speaker since October 2023, last faced a challenge in 2024 and easily won. His predecessor, California Republican Kevin McCarthy, was ousted in a historic vote that resulted in the House breaking for recess.
Stefanik made the comments after she criticized Johnson on Dec. 2 over her provision that was initially blocked from the annual defense policy bill, saying he had sided with Democrats. The provision, which would require congressional disclosure when the FBI opens investigations into federal candidates, was eventually added back after Stefanik said she spoke with Johnson and Trump, according to her Dec. 3 X post.
Johnson said he and Stefanik had a misunderstanding of the facts on the provision, and they were trying to work through that.
Later, Stefanik said on X that the conversation with Johnson was very productive, adding, “I shared my views that House Republicans need to focus on delivering results to the American people."
“We had a great breakthrough on an important provision and are moving forward to address the affordability and safety issues impacting NY and the country,” she said.
Stefanik was initially elected in 2014 as a moderate Republican. After Trump took office in his first term, however, she soon became a key right-wing ally defending him against impeachment inquiries.
In his second term, Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as ambassador to the United Nations. But he withdrew her nomination due to concerns about losing Republicans' thin majority in the House.
On Dec. 2, the GOP prevented a major upset in a Tennessee special congressional election. While Matt Van Epps, who was backed by Trump, was declared the winner, his single-digit win against a progressive Democrat in an area the president won by more than 20 points could signal alarm for Republicans looking to retain control of the House.
The GOP’s path to hold a majority in the House runs in part through Stefanik’s New York. Democrats are expected to heavily target suburban districts held by Republicans.
Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Key Trump ally attacks Speaker Johnson as GOP holds House narrowly
Reporting by Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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