The Republican Johnson initially did not get the necessary 218 votes in the vote in the House of Representatives in Washington DC. Three Republicans chose to vote against Johnson, which meant that he would lose the vote. Six more clearly showed dissatisfaction, but changed their minds at the last second.
The temporary speaker of the House of Representatives chose not to bang the gavel on the table when everyone had cast their votes – and thus no official decision was made.
Intensive negotiations followed in the open congress.
Hard Pressure
Time was running out. Proposals were put forward for an immediate second vote to be held. But the speaker chose not to bang the gavel on the table.
The most conservative within the Republicans are marking their territory. It's like dogs peeing on the nearest lamp post, said Patrick McHenry, Republican and former member of the House of Representatives, to CNN.
The Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, wrote on social media when the drama was at its most intense that the Republicans' "civil war has broken out in full force and it's only day one".
Donald Trump was contacted via a mobile phone. Trump, who was on a golf course, asked the two members Keith Self and Ralph Norman who had voted against Johnson to change their minds – which they did, reports the New York Times.
Only then could Johnson return to the plenary hall with a smile on his lips. The two went up to the podium and changed their votes.
And the speaker could bang the gavel on the table.
Johnson could breathe a sigh of relief when he had won by the narrowest of margins.
Chaotic Beginning
Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York got 215 votes.
The chaotic vote was the beginning of the congress's work after the November elections.
It shows what's to come, the group has marked that they can question the speaker at any time, said McHenry to CNN.
The 52-year-old Johnson was elected as speaker in October 2023. But his handling of several budget disputes, including support for Ukraine, has made former allies into opponents.
Opposition leader Jeffries chose conciliatory words when he declared himself defeated and welcomed Johnson.
I thank you for your trust, said Johnson in response and then promised to "drastically cut" state expenditures and give "power back to the people."
