Rep. Massie wants Johnson to resign, offers plan to do it peacefully
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has been under tremendous pressure to step down -- or face being kicked out -- over his support for a foreign aid package.
According to Breitbart, several high-profile Republicans are wanting Johnson to step down. One of those is Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).
Instead of repeating the chaos that resulted in the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Massie wants Johnson to step down in a more controlled fashion.
Massie wants Johnson to resign after the House GOP conferences on a successor.
"Not equipped"
Massie told Breitbart in an exclusive interview why he believes Johnson is not an effective House speaker, dialing in on his poor negotiation skills.
GOP Gives up on Johnson: @RepThomasMassie says Mike Johnson has betrayed the Republican conference on 2 big occasions and he is about to do it a third time. Massie has called on Johnson to resign as John Boehner did and allow the GOP to elect a new speaker. #TheGreatAmericaShow pic.twitter.com/Xz2RY2kJAG
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) April 18, 2024
"Every negotiation he’s gone into with Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden, he’s received nothing in exchange. He’s either not good at negotiating, or he’s negotiating for their side," Massie said.
The Kentucky Republican pointed out several examples of that.
"He’s done an omnibus that broke Nancy Pelosi’s spending records. He reauthorized FISA without warrants. Now he’s going for the trifecta to pass the Ukraine spending without doing anything to enforce our border," he continued.
"That will be three strikes in addition to just the poor management of the House."
Different method of vacating
In order to avoid the kind of chaos that ensued when McCarthy was booted in a historic vote to remove him from power, Massie and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene want to pursue an alternate, more peaceful method.
Breitbart noted:
He and Greene want Johnson to agree to resign once the conference can come to a consensus on a new speaker. This would prevent a period of chaos similar to speakerless weeks in the House after McCarthy was vacated with what is now an even thinner, one-seat majority.
"He and Greene want Johnson to agree to resign once the conference can come to a consensus on a new speaker. This would prevent a period of chaos similar to speakerless weeks in the House after McCarthy was vacated with what is now an even thinner, one-seat majority," Massie explained.
Only time will tell if they're able to convince Johson to go that route.