House Speaker Mike Johnson has outlined a comprehensive plan to address concerns about the alleged weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former President Donald Trump. The strategy focuses on oversight, appropriations, and legislation, with the aim of reining in what Johnson sees as the politicization of the agency. Johnson’s announcement comes amid Trump’s ongoing legal battles in several jurisdictions.
Four top aides in House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office have announced plans to leave within 24 hours of each other, leading to significant staff turnover within the Republican leadership. Policy advisers Brittan Specht, Jason Yaworske, and Preston Hill are departing to join a lobbying firm, while deputy chief of staff for communications Raj Shah is also planning an exit. These departures come amid challenges faced by House Republicans, who hold a slim majority and face an uphill battle in the upcoming November 2024 elections.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing pressure from GOP rebels Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie, who are demanding concessions on foreign aid, government funding, and adherence to the Hastert rule. Johnson has held meetings with the rebels, but has so far resisted their demands, warning against making any potential side deals. Some House Republicans have expressed concerns about Johnson negotiating with Greene and Massie, fearing that it could lead to special arrangements for individual members. Despite the challenges, Johnson remains committed to listening to all members and assessing their ideas on their own merit.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for the resignation of Columbia University’s president, Lee Bollinger, following a tense news conference where the speaker and other Republican lawmakers faced interruptions and booing from the crowd. Johnson, along with several GOP colleagues, visited the university to address concerns about antisemitism and violence on campus. The speaker’s visit coincided with growing conservative criticism and a threat of ouster from some GOP members led by Marjorie Taylor Greene.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended Israel and denounced antisemitism during a visit to Columbia University, where students have been protesting for days. Johnson called for the removal of protesters and urged Columbia’s president to resign, while Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) expressed shock at the demonstrations in New York City. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) criticized protesters for receiving support from Hamas. Despite the protests, Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) emphasized that students have the right to protest without shutting down schools.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has called for Columbia University president Minouche Shafik to resign due to her handling of antisemitic demonstrations on campus. Johnson, along with every New York House Republican lawmaker, has demanded Shafik’s immediate resignation, saying it was time for Columbia “to turn the page on this shameful chapter.” The anti-Israel demonstrators have restored dozens of tents at the Morningside Heights school despite the NYPD clearing more than 100 protesters from the illegal encampment last week. Now more than 200 demonstrators at the self-described “People’s University for Palestine” have continued their demands for Columbia to divest from Israel, while chanting antisemitic slurs and harassing and intimidating Jewish students. In response to the ongoing protests, Johnson will dine with Jewish students and Rabbi Yuda Drizin, the director of Columbia’s Chabad chapter, on Wednesday, before speaking with reporters in the afternoon.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) has strongly criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), calling her a ‘total waste of time’ and a ‘horrible leader.’ Greene, a far-right firebrand, recently introduced a motion to force a vote on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s removal, attracting criticism from Tillis and other Republican senators.
