Democrats Will Protect Speaker Johnson From Motion to Vacate

    Democrats Will Protect Speaker Johnson From Motion to Vacate
    Image copyright: Kent Nishimura/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    The Facts

    • US House Democratic leaders Tuesday announced they would back Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana if Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) attempts to oust him from the speakership.

    • Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and other members of the leadership, wrote it's time to "turn the page on this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction" and support Johnson as part of continuing to find "bipartisan common ground with traditional Republicans."


    The Spin

    Establishment-critical narrative

    The real divide in Washington isn't Republicans vs. Democrats, it's those who put America first against those who are bought and paid for by special interests. Upon becoming Speaker, Johnson vowed to uphold the will of Republican voters and fight against far-left policies that are bleeding America dry. But he decided to cozy up with Democrats and fortify the "uniparty" in DC, so now he must be removed.

    Republican narrative

    While some Republicans may not be thrilled with Johnson, it's important for the GOP to stick together for the good of the party. With a razor-thin majority, sometimes Republicans need Democratic support, and it's unreasonable to expect Johnson to be perfect. Republicans already removed one speaker, and ousting Johnson would only make the party look bad.

    Democratic narrative

    While Republicans continue to show the country they're incapable of governing, Democrats are rising above politics. House Democrats may not agree with Johnson ideologically, but they're committed to restoring decency and bipartisanship. By ending Greene's political stunt Democrats are showing they're the adults in the room.

    Nerd narrative

    There's a 75% chance that Johnson will remain Speaker for all of 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

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