A growing leadership rift inside House Republican ranks spilled into public view after Rep. Elise Stefanik accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of blocking her proposal targeting what she says are long-standing abuses tied to government weaponization. The clash intensified Tuesday as Stefanik charged that Johnson was “siding with” Democrats on an issue she argues is critical to holding federal agencies accountable.
Stefanik, whom Johnson appointed chairwoman of House GOP leadership earlier this year, said the speaker was preventing her provision from being added to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The measure would require Congress to be notified when the FBI opens counterintelligence investigations into presidential or federal candidates. She referenced former FBI Director James Comey’s 2017 testimony, noting he “admitted to not following proper notification procedures” during the investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign.
The New York Republican argued the disclosure requirement is especially important following revelations that ex-Special Counsel Jack Smith seized phone records of Republican lawmakers without their knowledge during his investigation of President Donald Trump. Stefanik warned she would vote against the NDAA if the provision were excluded, a notable stance from a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Stefanik escalated her accusations Tuesday, writing that the speaker is blocking her effort “to root out the illegal weaponization that led to Crossfire Hurricane, Arctic Frost, and more.” She further claimed Johnson “is siding with [Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.] against Trump Republicans to block this provision to protect the deep state,” calling the NDAA “dead on arrival” unless the language is included.
Johnson rejected the accusations as “false,” telling reporters he was blindsided by the public attacks. He said the provision had not yet reached his level under “regular order,” explaining that amendments must be approved by both Republican and Democratic leaders on committees of jurisdiction before reaching House leadership. Johnson added the proposal appeared to fall under the Judiciary Committee and had not received the required bipartisan agreement.
The speaker said he texted Stefanik immediately after learning of her concerns, telling her, “This hasn’t even made it to my level.” Johnson also said he supports the proposal and would vote for it. “I literally had nothing to do with it. But I’m happy to roll up my sleeves and help her,” he told reporters.
