'I Stand With The Speaker': Trump Throws Mike Johnson A Lifeline

Former President Donald Trump defended House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Friday amid threats to his speakership from a faction of far-right Republicans who are angry about his reliance on Democratic votes to pass legislation.

I think hes doing a very good job, and hes doing about as good as youre going to do, Trump said Friday after meeting with Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, Trumps Florida private club and residence.

Its unfortunate that people bring it up because right now we have much bigger problems, he added of the efforts to oust Johnson as the top Republican in the House.

Its unclear if Trumps words of affirmation for Johnson will be enough to save his job, but it certainly helps his odds. A group of Republican hard-liners led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) are upset with Johnson over his support for funding the government and for reauthorizing the nations intelligence programs without any changes.

Last month, Greene filed a motion to oust Johnson from the speakership, but she hasnt gone forward  with forcing a vote on the matter, leaving Johnson scrambling for support from Trump. 

At the news conference on Friday, Johnson said that House Republicans would be introducing legislation to require proof of citizenship to vote, which also happens to be one of Trumps favorite issues. But its already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and theres virtually no evidence  of noncitizen voting.

The announcement is better viewed as a bid by Johnson to neutralize opposition from his right flank, which is also up in arms over reports that the speaker may put to a vote some sort of package that includes more U.S. aid for Ukraine amid its struggle to survive daily Russian bombardment.

When asked whether he would support a Ukraine aid package if Johnson brings it to the House floor for a vote, Trump again suggested turning it into a loan to the Ukrainian government. 

Were thinking about making it in the form of a loan instead of just a gift. We keep handing out gifts of billions, Trump said.