In a surprising move, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries announced on April 30 that his party would support House Speaker Mike Johnson against an attempt to overthrow him by far-right Republican lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene. Despite being in the minority, Democrats pledged to defend Johnson, despite it being unusual for them to show support for a Republican member holding a leadership position in the House.
Greene had announced that she would ask the House to vote to dismiss Johnson after he allowed the passage of a foreign aid bill benefitting Ukraine. The Democrats saw this as an opportunity to distance the House speaker from the far-right faction within the Republican Party and ensure that Johnson continues to rely on their support in dealing with any challenges in the House.
The new regulations for removing the Speaker of the House, introduced by Johnson’s predecessor McCarthy, make it easier for any member to present a resolution for dismissal without needing additional support. In case of a vote, the House must decide within two days, and if approved by a majority, the speaker will lose his position. Democrats are hoping that supporting Johnson will prevent chaos in