The House voted swiftly Wednesday evening to kill Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene\u2019s effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The resounding vote in Johnson\u2019s favor \u2013 which came with the help of Democrats \u2013 brings to an end the most serious challenge to the speakership the Louisiana Republican has faced, at least for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As he navigates a razor-thin majority, the failed ouster effort gives Johnson the opportunity to argue it is time to move on to other issues, though support from Democrats may open him up to more criticism from his right flank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnson spoke briefly with reporters following the vote, calling Greene\u2019s campaign against him \u201cmisguided\u201d and thanking colleagues for a \u201cshow of confidence\u201d in his leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to say that I appreciate the show of confidence for my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve made clear here every day, I intend to do my job, I intend to do what I believe to be the right thing, which I was elected to do. And I\u2019ll let the chips fall where they may.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greene had dangled the threat of triggering a vote against the speaker for weeks, a push that reopened bitter divisions within the House GOP conference as many members opposed ousting Johnson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnson was elected speaker last year after conservative hardliners voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a historic and unprecedented vote that sparked a tumultuous period of infighting as Republicans struggled to unify around a new leader before eventually coalescing around the Louisiana Republican.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The House on Wednesday voted to table \u2013 or kill \u2013 Greene\u2019s push to remove Johnson by a tally of 359 to 43. Eleven Republicans voted against tabling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the wake of Johnson\u2019s push to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives, House Democratic leadership had announced that Democrats would help Johnson keep his job by voting to table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Wednesday evening, Greene did not rule out forcing another vote against Johnson in the future and suggested that a statement from former President Donald Trump on Truth Social supports the potential for a motion to vacate at some point \u2013 despite the fact that he urged members to vote to kill her resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pressed by CNN\u2019s Manu Raju on whether she would trigger a vote again this Congress, Greene did not answer directly but said she is \u201cthankful\u201d for Trump\u2019s support and pointed to the fact that he said on Truth Social that \u201cat some point\u201d Republicans may be in a position of voting on a motion to vacate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe also said in that statement that we may have to vacate and that\u2019s something that I think people need to pay attention to,\u201d Greene said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked whether she believes Trump was wrong to urge members to vote to table, the congresswoman said, \u201cI stand with President Trump. I support President Trump. I\u2019ve talked to him every day about this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greene and Johnson \u2013 as well as Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky \u2013 met over several days earlier this week, where Greene outlined her concerns with Johnson\u2019s leadership and her priorities. The House was on the verge of recessing for the week when Greene pulled up her motion to vacate the chair, which started a two-legislative-day clock for GOP leaders to hold a vote on her measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
House Republicans were completely caught off guard by Greene\u2019s decision to trigger her motion, multiple Republican sources told CNN. GOP leadership did not see this coming and thought after the two productive meetings between Johnson and Greene that there was at least more time before any next steps were taken, the sources added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was shocked,\u201d GOP Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia told CNN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n