Will Trump Appointments Complicate Mike Johnson’s Grip on the House?

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson may be in “dangerous territory” as President-elect Donald Trump appoints key staff positions, momentarily pulling Republican seats from Congress.
Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday pointing out Johnson’s position: “Between Stefanik and waltz going into the administration, house republicans will have a very tiny majority come the beginning of the 119th. Could be 219 or 220. Dangerous territory for @SpeakerJohnson – and more incentive to punt funding to Sept.”
On Monday, Trump announced that New York Representative Elise Stefanik would be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in his second administration. Trump also asked Florida Representative Mike Walz to be his National Security adviser, according to multiple media outlets.
Last week, Trump won the 2024 presidential election over Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide, clinching the popular vote and all seven swing states. Republicans also control the Senate and are on the verge of taking the House.
CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raja pointed out the irony on X, saying, “Two House GOP members now tapped for admin jobs. Johnson already on pace for a razor-thin majority. And losing two seats would tighten that majority even further until they are filled in a special election.”
Newsweek reached out to Johnson’s office via email Monday night for comment.
Billionaire X owner Elon Musk, an entrusted figure in Trump’s political circle, said on the platform, “Elise is awesome, but it might be too dicey to lose her from the House, at least for now.”
Political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek on Monday night that “Trump’s appointments, coupled with the loss of two House Republicans, could indeed create significant challenges for Speaker Mike Johnson.”
Agranoff noted that Johnson will have to “work even harder to maintain cohesion within the Republican caucus” and could face “increased pressure to satisfy both moderate and far-right factions within the part.”
Continuing, Agranoff said: “This could hinder his ability to advance a unified agenda, especially on high-stakes issues such as budget approvals, debt ceiling negotiations, and any legislative priorities where bipartisan support might be slim.
“If party unity falters, Johnson could struggle to pass essential bills, potentially leading to gridlock or a weakened negotiating position with Democrats. These developments could put Johnson in a difficult spot, where he may have to make compromises that could either alienate his base or risk legislative standstills.”
When asked if this could complicate things for Johnson, Dillard University Professor and political analyst Robert Collins told Newsweek on Monday night, “It will depend on the final makeup of the House.”
Collins noted that Waltz and Stefanik’s seats “are safe” as Republicans would likely replace them.
“Right now, it looks like [Johnson’s] going to be overseeing a very slim majority. 220, 221, 222 votes, something like that. So every vote will matter for him,” Collins said.
He said “the main issue” is that as Johnson’s majority shrinks, “it gives the Freedom Caucus members more power.”
“Because he needs them to pass any piece of legislation. And if they decide they want concessions, and he doesn’t want to give them those concessions, they could simply shut the house down, as they did last year during the speaker battle when they deposed [Kevin] McCarthy,” Collins concluded.
Meanwhile, Johnson took to X to congratulate Stefanik on Monday, saying in part, “Elise is a fierce defender of America and the America First agenda. We will miss her in Congress, but she will represent us well at the UN.”
Johnson has also asked colleagues to back him in his bid to be House speaker again.