A contentious debate over House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership takes an unexpected turn as Senator Rand Paul suggests a controversial replacement.
According to Fox News, Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., proposed replacing House Speaker Mike Johnson with tech billionaire Elon Musk following the collapse of the continuing resolution spending bill.
The Kentucky senator made the suggestion in a post on X, where he highlighted that the Speaker position does not require congressional membership. Paul's proposition emerges amid growing conservative dissatisfaction with Johnson's handling of spending legislation, particularly after President-elect Trump and Musk led opposition to the latest spending bill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson faces mounting pressure from within his party as the spending bill crisis deepens.
On Wednesday night, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed the deal's failure after leaving the Capitol, marking a significant setback for Republican leadership. The situation has sparked intense criticism from GOP members who question Johnson's approach to fiscal matters.
Musk, who has been named as President-elect Trump's pick to co-chair the Department of Government Efficiency, has actively participated in the spending bill debate. His influence became apparent when he urged voters to remove lawmakers who supported the controversial legislation.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., expressed support for Paul's suggestion, while Democratic strategist Jimmy Williams dismissed the proposal. Williams stated on X:
Senators should stick to Senating and House Members should stick to their Chamber. No House Member gives a damn what a Senator thinks about who should be Speaker.
Johnson's position appears increasingly precarious as he approaches a crucial leadership vote on January 3. With Republicans holding a slim four-seat majority, his continuation as Speaker remains uncertain. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has already declared his opposition to Johnson, stating he won't support the current Speaker barring a "Christmas miracle."
The situation is further complicated by Rep. Victoria Spartz's decision to distance herself from the Republican caucus while maintaining her party registration. This development potentially reduces Johnson's support to a precarious single-vote margin.
Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., voiced strong criticism of the current leadership on "Hannity," stating:
It's ridiculous. It's a horrible plan. I can't believe that Republican leadership ever cooked it up.
The ongoing leadership crisis echoes recent Republican turmoil following former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's unprecedented removal from the position. McCarthy's ousting, initiated by eight Republican rebels, marked the first time in U.S. history that a House Speaker was voted out.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has confirmed that Democrats will not support Johnson in the upcoming leadership vote, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The slim Republican majority leaves little room for dissent within party ranks.
The impending leadership vote will determine whether Johnson can maintain his position amid growing conservative opposition to his fiscal policies and leadership style. With both Musk's influence and Trump's opposition to the current spending proposals, the Republican party faces crucial decisions about its legislative priorities and leadership direction.
