Republican Mike Johnson was re-elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives after a dramatic vote

Republican Mike Johnson won re-election as Speaker of the US House of Representatives by a narrow margin, on Friday, in a first round of balloting, defeating the rejectionists of the far-right Republican Party after a tense confrontation, supported by a signal of support from US President-elect Donald Trump.

The turbulent scene brought an inauspicious start to the first day of the new Congress. A small group of hard-line Republicans gathered at the back of the House chamber, and one by one they abstained from voting or chose another lawmaker for the position.

Johnson’s face turned grim, acknowledging the new turmoil and signaling trouble ahead under unified GOP control in Washington.

However, in the end, Johnson managed to turn two remaining holdouts who switched to his support, drawing applause from Republicans. The number was 218-215.

In his maiden speech, Johnson pledged to “reject business as usual” with Republicans in charge.

“We will dramatically reduce the size and scope of government,” he promised.

A tense scene during a typically festive day

Johnson’s weak grip on the gavel threatens not only his own survival, but also Trump’s ambitious agenda of tax cuts and mass deportations as Republicans come to power. Even his close alliance and support from Trump himself, usually a sure bet for Republicans, was no guarantee that Johnson would regain his role as Speaker of the House.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries tried to move past the turmoil Republicans have seen over the past two years, saying it’s time to come together and put partisan politics aside to “get things done” for Americans.

What was once a celebratory day as newly elected lawmakers arrived to be sworn in, often with family, friends and children, has evolved into a high-stakes vote for Speaker of the House, among the most powerful elected positions in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn in in the Senate.

While the Senate is able to convene on its own and has already elected party leaders — Sen. John Thune as leader of the Republican majority and Sen. Chuck Schumer for the Democratic minority — the House must first elect its own speaker, a role required by the United States. Constitution, second in the line of succession to the president.

With his GOP colleagues opposed, Johnson arrived at the Capitol with outward confidence after working into the night to influence hard-line opponents. Johnson’s floundering could have caused turmoil in Monday’s congressional certification of Trump’s 2024 election win without the House speaker.

Watch | Reporter says: Johnson’s re-election shows Trump’s influence in Congress

The reporter says that Trump’s influence was clearly evident in Johnson’s re-election as Speaker of the House of Representatives

Republican Mike Johnson was narrowly re-elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives on Friday after he managed to convince two opponents to turn against him and support him. Mika Saulner, congressional correspondent for Punchbowl News, said it was thanks to the intervention of President-elect Donald Trump, and she believes it is “potentially the beginning of four very long years in which Trump will play a heavy role” in Congress.