Speaker Mike Johnson recently received praise for defying the right wing of his party and allowing an aid bill for Ukraine to move through the House. While this may seem like simply doing his job, it mirrors the situation that former Vice President Mike Pence faced when he refused to overturn the 2020 election results as demanded by former President Donald Trump. Both men, who are extremely conservative evangelical Christians, have found themselves in challenging positions within the Republican Party that reveres Trump and his followers but punishes those who go against his demands.
While Mr. Johnson and Mr. Pence have both tried to accommodate Trump and the forces he unleashed in the party, they have ultimately faced backlash for their decisions. Mr. Johnson is currently facing calls to be ousted from his position as Speaker despite initially having the support of Trump. Similarly, Mr. Pence struggled to raise money for his short-lived presidential campaign after breaking from Trump. This demonstrates the current political reality within the Republican Party, where going against the norm can lead to career-ending consequences.
Despite the challenges they have faced, both men have been praised for choosing the more difficult path when confronted with intense pressure from within their party. Mr. Pence has been offering private encouragement to Mr. Johnson as he navigates growing discontent from the far right. Their actions have been described as courageous, with their Christian faith grounding them in difficult moments. Anti-Trump Republican political strategist Sarah Longwell emphasized the importance of encouraging politicians to do the right thing even when it goes against the party’s forces.
Despite some criticism that Mr. Johnson’s actions were delayed and should not be viewed as heroic, others have expressed gratitude for his leadership in moving the Ukraine aid bill forward. Recommendations from a group of former members of Congress, foreign affairs experts, and Ukraine aid advocates have commended his efforts. Even President Zelensky of Ukraine thanked Mr. Johnson for the decision, highlighting the importance of America standing with its democratic allies. On the House floor, Representative Mario Diaz-Balart praised Mr. Johnson’s character and fortitude in pushing through the bill.
While some Democrats have been hesitant to offer praise to Mr. Johnson, noting that his job performance should not be the central focus, others have acknowledged his role in meeting the needs of the American people and standing by democratic allies. Despite initial hesitations and delays, Mr. Johnson stood by his decision, stating that history judges individuals based on their actions. Ultimately, his choices may have consequences within his party, but he remains resolute in doing what he believes is right. The challenging position he finds himself in as Speaker of the House reflects the complex political landscape of the current Republican Party.
