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Newt Gingrich has expressed strong support for House Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership, despite recent criticism from conservative members over spending negotiations with Democrats.
The pushback emerged after Johnson’s initial spending agreement with Democrats to prevent a government shutdown failed, though a continuing resolution was eventually passed.
Speaking on “Cats Roundtable” with John Catsimatidis, Gingrich, who served as Speaker from 1995-99, praised Johnson’s ability to navigate his role with minimal Republican majority and Democratic control of both the executive branch and Senate.
“Mike Johnson, speaker of the house, is doing an extraordinary job,” Gingrich told John Catsimatidis on Sunday’s “Cats Roundtable” on WABC 770 AM.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says Mike Johnson is doing "an extraordinary job" as speaker despite criticism from some conservatives. https://t.co/3eors4Nq8Q
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) December 29, 2024
“I tell everybody, I was a pretty effective speaker. I could never do his job. He has no margins. Any two or three members can rebel at any moment.”
'I could never do his job': Former Speaker Newt Gingrich shows support for Mike Johnson https://t.co/K4IfCqM3aq
— The Bork Report (@BorkReport) December 29, 2024
The former Georgia congressman lauded Johnson’s biblical patience and listening skills. However, following turbulent negotiations leading to the CR’s passage, some Republicans have questioned Johnson’s ability to maintain his speakership in the upcoming Congress.
“When you have no margin and you have to maneuver and listen, and maneuver and listen, that is how the constitutional process works,” he told Catsimatidis.
While former President Trump previously backed Johnson, he hasn’t indicated his current preference for House Speaker as Republicans prepare to maintain control in January.
Gingrich emphasized the necessity for House Republicans to unite with Trump and a GOP Senate majority.
“They need a Republican unity program for the next two years,” Gingrich said. “These guys who wake up every morning and say, ‘I’m going to vote no. What’s the issue?’ are totally destructive and hand the House over to the Democrats.
“So they need to start this year with a pledge that every Republican is going to stick together. We’re going to be a single team.”
Gingrich suggested that Republican success in retaining House control and expanding their majority in 2026 depends on economic prosperity. He advocated for implementing substantial tax cuts and deregulation by Independence Day.
The former speaker’s wife, Callista Gingrich, who previously served as ambassador to the Vatican under Trump, has been nominated by the former president for the position of U.S. ambassador to Switzerland.
