United States House Speaker Mike Johnson has confirmed that he will step down as Republican leader following his party's heavy midterm election defeat, a spokesperson told news agency AFP.
Johnson, the highest-ranking Republican in the country after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, stands second in the line of presidential succession.
Asked whether reports regarding his decision to step aside were accurate, his spokesperson confirmed in a one-word email: "Accurate."
The Louisiana Republican informed his staff on Wednesday morning, one day after Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress in a sweeping repudiation of Trump's administration and legislative agenda.
Johnson, 54, has led the House of Representatives since October 2023, when he emerged as a compromise candidate following weeks of party infighting that led to the removal of Kevin McCarthy.
Although he campaigned vigorously to defend the party's narrow majority, his decision not to seek the minority leadership avoids a contested post-election internal fight.
Succession race and Jeffries' speakership bid
Johnson won re-election to his Louisiana seat, and his decision does not entail an immediate resignation from the speakership or Congress.
His withdrawal sets up a leadership contest between House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, both prominent conservatives and Trump allies, with a party vote scheduled for next Tuesday.
Trump praised Johnson’s tenure, stating he would "stay out of" the succession contest: "The speaker was fantastic. The people under him were fantastic. All good people."
Concurrently, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries formally launched his campaign on Wednesday to become the next speaker, a role he is widely anticipated to secure when the new Congress convenes in January.
Jeffries, who would make history as the first Black speaker of the House, pledged to focus on economic affordability and oversight.
