'No comment': GOP rebels silent after fight to oust speaker shunned by Trump

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson

The House Republican rebels campaigning to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his role have seemingly dialed back their criticisms of the speaker after Donald Trump threw his support behind him.

Johnson's speakership quickly came under threat after Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to boot him, and won the backing of Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ). The lawmakers cite Johnson's $95 billion foreign aid plan which included money for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific but nothing for the U.S. border as their reason for opposing him.

But earlier this week, Donald Trump came to Johnson's defense, saying that the speaker is doing his best considering the current political environment.

Also read: Investors admit shorting Truth Social stock to crash Trump's dream of cashing in

"It’s not like he can go and do whatever he wants to do," Trump told radio host John Fredericks on Monday.

"I think he’s a very good person. You know, he stood very strongly with me on NATO when I said NATO has to pay up. It’s a tough situation when you have what, I think, is a very good man. I think he’s trying very hard. And again, we’ve got to have a big election."

Now, according to Fox News, the 'rebel' lawmakers are keeping quiet in regards to their opposition to Johnson, with all three lawmakers refusing to comment on Trump's conciliatory words. Gosar's office told Fox News "no comment" when contacted.

As Fox points out, Greene and Gosar have been consistent allies to Trump and have even functioned as surrogates for him on the campaign trail. Massie, however, hasn't been shy when it comes to voicing criticism of the former president and publicly supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Fox News' report went on to say that a "majority of House Republican lawmakers have already signaled that they don't have the appetite for another period of upheaval like what followed McCarthy's ouster."

Recommended Links: