Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) declared that he will not be voting for Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to maintain his speakership, comparing him to former Speaker Paul Ryan.
“On January 3rd, 2017 Paul Ryan was elected Speaker by every Republican except me,” Massie wrote on X. “Ryan went on to offer a fake repeal of ObamaCare, increased spending, backed the deep state, and didn’t fund a wall.”
He noted that Republicans lost the majority two years later, going on to assert that that Johnson is the “next Paul Ryan.”
“On January 3rd, 2025, I won’t be voting for Mike Johnson,” he wrote. “I hope my colleague will join me because history will not give America another ‘do-over.’”
President-elect Donald Trump, however, endorsed Johnson in a statement on Truth Social, writing, “Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!”
Massie said of Trump’s endorsement of Johnson, “I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget.”
Johnson said he was “honored and humbled” by Trump’s support.
“Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in the new golden age of America,” he wrote. “The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!”