House Speaker Mike Johnson at Columbia University in New York City on April 24, 2024

In an article published by the conservative website The Bulwark on December 4, journalist Joe Perticone detailed the growing tensions between House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and MAGA Republicans in his caucus — including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia), Elise Stefanik (R-New York), Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-Florida). Greene is not only openly critical of Johnson; she is also attacking Donald Trump's second presidency as a betrayal of the America First agenda and expressed her displeasure by resigning from Congress, effective early January 2026.

MS NOW opinion columnist Hayes Brown examines those tensions in his December 8 column, and he lays out some reasons why Stefanik may be the House Republican who poses the greatest threat to Johnson's speakership.

"Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is running for governor of New York, has become the figurehead of a growing frustration with Johnson's speakership — despite being a member of the caucus' senior leadership," Brown explains. "'He certainly wouldn't have the votes to be speaker if there was a roll-call vote tomorrow,' Stefanik told The Wall Street Journal on December 2. 'I believe that the majority of Republicans would vote for new leadership. It's that widespread.'"

Brown adds, "She also compared him — unfavorably! — to former Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California whose ejection from that role cleared the way for Johnson's ascent. 'Whereas Kevin McCarthy was a political animal,' she said, 'Mike Johnson is a political novice — and, boy, does it show, with the House Republicans underperforming for the first time in the Trump era.'"

According to a House Republican interviewed by Politico on condition of anonymity, "Elise is running for governor and frankly does not give a f—— anymore about playing nice."

"For her part," Brown observes, "Stefanik spoke with Punchbowl News Thursday, (December 4) in what she called a 'de-escalatory conversation' to emphasize that the speaker was receptive to her suggestion that he be more open to listening to his members. But the damage is done — and Stefanik won't have to be around long for any repercussions…. Stefanik and other Republicans who are leaving have been more than willing to set fire to the House on their way out of Washington. Johnson is trying to douse the flames with a leaky bucket."

Brown adds, "It probably won't happen this week, but the big question is how much longer before the rising heat overtakes him."

Hayes Brown's full MS NOW column is available at this link.