Former US President Trump praised House Speaker Mike Johnson for "doing a good job" while the official was facing the risk of being impeached.
"We have a Speaker of the United States House who was elected through a very complicated process. It's not an easy situation for any Speaker of the House. I think he's doing a great job and I'm sure Marjorie understands that," Donald Trump said while standing next to Mike Johnson at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on April 12.
Johnson traveled to Florida to meet with Trump to seek support. Hard-line Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed removing the US House Speaker on March 21, after Mr. Johnson ignored many members of his own party to pass a $1.2 trillion budget bill, saving the US government from the risk of a last-minute shutdown.
The move angered hard-liners in the party, including Greene. “The bill is a betrayal of the American people,” she said.
Any lawmaker can bring a motion to remove the Speaker, and the chamber must vote on the motion within two days. Johnson would need at least 218 votes from the 435-member House to retain his post.
Some Republicans warn that Democrats will gain an advantage in an election year if House Speaker Johnson is removed from office.
Trump (right) and Johnson at a press conference after their meeting at Mar-a-Lago on April 12. Photo: AFP
During their meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump and Mr. Johnson also expressed concerns about the potential for fraud in the presidential election in November. Johnson said he would soon introduce a bill to tighten regulations on proving citizenship status before voting.
There is a possibility of "widespread fraud, especially as the threat of it increases with every illegal immigrant who crosses the border," the US House Speaker warned.
Trump and Johnson also mentioned the $60 billion aid package for Ukraine, an issue that has caused a rift within the Republican Party. The former US president said he favored providing military loans to Kiev rather than direct aid.
Trump also touched on another divisive issue among Republicans: abortion rights. He recalled how he rebuilt the US Supreme Court during his presidency, leading to the Supreme Court overturning a ruling recognizing women's right to abortion in June 2022. "We did what people said couldn't be done," he stressed.
Pham Giang (According to AFP )
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