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PoliticsQuiet 4d · day 10

Mike Johnson Won't Seek House GOP Leader Post After Midterm Rout

The Speaker tells staff he won't run for minority leader, opening a Scalise-vs-Jordan race as Republicans sift through a historic midterm defeat.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 1d ago120 pieces3.1k likes & upvotes210 comments RedditMastodonNewswiresXBlueskyGoogle News

What to know

  • Johnson's decision reverses earlier signals from late October that he intended to remain GOP leader even in defeat.
  • It triggers a contested succession: Scalise and Jordan are both running for minority leader, with an internal GOP vote scheduled for Nov. 10.
  • Trump says he will not weigh in on the race, despite the loss following two years of Johnson closely aligning with the White House agenda.
  • Some House conservatives, including Steube, are using the moment to demand a broader leadership purge, not just Johnson's departure.

The dispute Whether the GOP's midterm collapse was caused by Trump's unpopularity and agenda or by weak candidates and insufficiently conservative leadership. · positions read across 19 posts and comments

most voices

Johnson's exit is cheered as overdue punishment for two years of enabling Trump.

  • “2 years of crawling completely up Trump's ass & rubber stamping every illegal Trump move, he cuts & runs like the little weasel he is! Americans say GTFOOH! Good riddance!”

    bluescottyp.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
many voices

Hardline conservatives say the GOP lost because leadership was too weak and moderate, not because it backed Trump too much.

  • “Mike Johnson spent two years letting Fuckface use the House as a doormat, and now he thinks he gets to keep the job after losing it. God told him so, apparently. Jim Jordan is circling with no jacket, and Scalise is sharpening knives.”

    wellborn.net@bsky.brid.gy · Mastodon ↗
some voices

The crowd disputes the real cause of the losses — candidate quality, money, or the MAGA grip on primaries.

  • “War chests didnt matter as much this go around. Dont get me wrong money obviously runs politics but republicans threw cash at the wall and none of it stuck”

    Far_Falcon_6158 · Reddit ↗

“I know the Democrats' playbook. I know what it will take to lead our Conference in the minority, to stay unified, and to coordinate and calibrate our response to the Democrats' tactics.”

Jim Jordan, House Judiciary Committee Chairman · Letter to GOP colleagues · Nov 3

Mike JohnsonMike Johnson outgoing House Speaker (R-LA)Steve ScaliseSteve Scalise House Majority Leader (R-LA)Jim Jordan House Judiciary Committee Chairman (R-OH)Donald TrumpDonald Trump President of the United StatesGreg SteubeGreg Steube House Republican (R-FL)August Pfluger Chairman, Republican Study Committee (R-TX)

Mike Johnson Won't Seek House GOP Leader Post After Midterm Rout
nbcnews.com

How it unfolded 7 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments

Peak 68 pieces in 3h at Nov 4, 10 AM; 120 pieces over 10 days (90 articles · 23 posts · 7 comments) Oct 29, 5 AM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts — Mastodon 1, Reddit 1, Newswires 1Oct 29, 8 AM — 2 pieces · 2 posts — Mastodon 2Oct 29, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Oct 29, 2 PM — quietOct 29, 5 PM — quietOct 29, 8 PM — quietOct 29, 11 PM — quietOct 30, 2 AM — quietOct 30, 5 AM — quietOct 30, 8 AM — quietOct 30, 11 AM — quietOct 30, 2 PM — quietOct 30, 5 PM — quietOct 30, 8 PM — quietOct 30, 11 PM — quietOct 31, 2 AM — quietOct 31, 5 AM — quietOct 31, 8 AM — quietOct 31, 11 AM — quietOct 31, 2 PM — quietOct 31, 5 PM — quietOct 31, 8 PM — quietOct 31, 11 PM — quietNov 1, 1 AM — quietNov 1, 4 AM — quietNov 1, 7 AM — quietNov 1, 10 AM — quietNov 1, 1 PM — quietNov 1, 4 PM — quietNov 1, 7 PM — quietNov 1, 10 PM — quietNov 2, 1 AM — quietNov 2, 4 AM — quietNov 2, 7 AM — quietNov 2, 10 AM — quietNov 2, 1 PM — quietNov 2, 4 PM — quietNov 2, 7 PM — quietNov 2, 10 PM — quietNov 3, 1 AM — quietNov 3, 4 AM — quietNov 3, 7 AM — quietNov 3, 10 AM — quietNov 3, 1 PM — quietNov 3, 4 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Mastodon 1Nov 3, 7 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Nov 3, 10 PM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Newswires 3Nov 4, 1 AM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Nov 4, 4 AM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Nov 4, 7 AM — 25 pieces · 17 articles · 8 posts — Newswires 14, Google News 3, Mastodon 3, +2 moreNov 4, 10 AM — 68 pieces · 55 articles · 8 posts · 5 comments — Newswires 53, Reddit 6, Mastodon 4, +3 moreNov 4, 1 PM — 7 pieces · 6 articles · 1 post — Newswires 6, Mastodon 1Nov 4, 4 PM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Bluesky 1Nov 4, 7 PM — 2 pieces · 2 comments — Reddit 2Nov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 1 AM — quietNov 5, 4 AM — quietNov 5, 7 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 1 PM — quietNov 5, 4 PM — quietNov 5, 7 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 1 AM — quietNov 6, 4 AM — quietNov 6, 7 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 1 PM — quietNov 6, 4 PM — quietNov 6, 7 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quiet 123–7
Oct 30Oct 31Nov 1Nov 2Nov 3Nov 4Nov 5Nov 6now · 8:37 AM ET
  1. 7

    Johnson expected to remain a rank-and-file member

    Reporting confirms Johnson will keep his Louisiana House seat as a rank-and-file member when the new Congress convenes in January, even as he steps down from leadership.

    “2 years of crawling completely up Trump's ass & rubber stamping every illegal Trump move, he cuts & runs like the little weasel he is! Americans say GTFOOH! Good riddance!”
    — bluescottyp.bsky.social, Bluesky commenter · source
    1. 5 outlets Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek reelection as House GOP leader after midterm election

      first by PennLive, 3d ago · also Star Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, Jerusalem Post

      3 more headlines
    • bluescottyp.bsky.social

      Speaker Mike Johnson won't stay on as House GOP leader, 1 day after Democrats took the House. 2 years of crawling completely up Trump’s ass & rubber stamping every illegal Trump move, he cuts & runs like the little weasel he is! Americans say GTFOOH! Good riddance! nbcnews.com #ProudBlue #VoteBlue

      bluescottyp.bsky.socialBluesky3d ago64▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
    • jhlibby

      Gym Jordan as minority leader? That'll be dead-on branding for the Guardians Of Pedophilia. https://www. washingtonpost.com/politics/20 26/11/04/mike-johnson-wont-seek-house-minority-leader-position-after-midterm-losses/

      jhlibbyMastodon3d agoview on Mastodon ↗

    • "Him blaming the candidate quality on candidates he chose admits a lot." The cognitive dissonance is overwhelming.

      darth_smallberriesr/politics3d agoview on r/politics ↗
    all of them →
  2. 6

    Trump says he will 'stay out' of the leadership race

    Asked about the contest to replace Johnson, President Trump told reporters he would not intervene, praising Johnson while denying he pushed him out.

    “We'll stay out of it. The speaker was fantastic. The people under him were fantastic. All good people.”
    — Donald Trump
    1. 2 outlets Mike Johnson bows out of leadership after crushing House GOP defeat

      first by Axios, 3d ago · also Washington Examiner

      1 more headline
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      ⚡ NEWS Mike Johnson to Step Down as House Republican Leader Following the Republican defeat in the midterm elections, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced he will not remain as minority leader for the next Congress. This leadership change marks a significant shift in Republican House dynamics post-election. 📰 https://www…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon3d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 6 posts in this stretch

    • In the majority of cases they can't win the primary without MAGA though, it has seized control of the party. So you've gotta be MAGA enough to get to the general, but not so MAGA that you can win the general.

      peachesgpr/politics3d agoview on r/politics ↗

    • Ah yes I saw Booker speaking this morning and couldn't figure out it was him I saw speak. Maybe im just not a fan? Some of us are tired of the recycled dems from the past decade...nothing more than that lmao

      throwaaybitrans98171r/politics3d agoview on r/politics ↗
    all of them →
  3. 5

    Conservatives demand wholesale leadership change

    Rep. August Pfluger announced a challenge to Whip Tom Emmer, and Rep. Greg Steube publicly accused leadership of governing out of fear and alienating conservatives.

    “You have been embarrassingly weak and more afraid of governing conservatively than of disappointing the voters who put us in office.”
    — Greg Steube
    1. 6 outlets Mike Johnson Quits Republican Leadership After Midterms Humiliation

      first by New Republic, 3d ago · also One America News Network, Daily Mail, Deadline, Straight Arrow, Fox News

      5 more headlines

    • US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson will not run for election as House minority leader, following the loss of his Republican majority in this week's midterm elections, a source said

      @ReutersX3d ago10▲view on X ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 3 posts in this stretch
    • johnrhutchinson.bsky.social

      Bye, Mike. Don't let the door-- nah, let it hit you on the way out.

      johnrhutchinson.bsky.socialBluesky3d ago4▲view on Bluesky ↗
    • jnavas.com

      It will forever be his legacy. 🤭 — Mike Johnson Bows Out of Leadership After Crushing House GOP Defeat @axios.com

      jnavas.comBluesky3d ago2▲view on Bluesky ↗
    all of them →
  4. 4

    Scalise and Jordan launch bids for GOP leader

    Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan each sent letters to colleagues announcing campaigns to succeed Johnson, with an internal GOP leadership election set for Nov. 10.

    “Last night's election was far worse than any of us expected. We fought hard and left it all on the field, but clearly, we were unable to defy history.”
    — Steve Scalise

    • House Speaker Mike Johnson is ruling out a bid for minority leader, hours after House Republicans suffered staggering losses on Election Night.

      newsguy.bsky.socialBluesky3d ago32▲view on Bluesky ↗
    4 posts in this stretch →
  5. 3

    Johnson tells staff he won't run for minority leader

    On an all-staff call Wednesday morning, Johnson said he will not seek to stay on as House Republican leader in the new Congress, reversing his earlier stance, according to multiple sources.

    “BREAKING on MS NOW: Mike Johnson will NOT run for House Minority Leader.”
    — kylegriffin1.bsky.social

    1. 10 outlets first by HuffPost, 3d ago · also The Gateway Pundit, Washington Post, New York Post, NY Post, The Hill, Bloomberg +3 · read ↗

    2. 3 outlets Mike Johnson won't seek top House Republican role after Democratic takeover, source says

      first by Scripps News, 3d ago · also Roll Call, UPI

      2 more headlines
    1 more claim →
    • kylegriffin1.bsky.social

      BREAKING on MS NOW: Mike Johnson will NOT run for House Minority Leader.

      kylegriffin1.bsky.socialBluesky3d ago3.0k▲view on Bluesky ↗
  6. 2

    Democrats are projected to win the House; Johnson concedes

    After ABC News and other outlets project a Democratic takeover of the House, Johnson addresses supporters, calling the result disappointing but vowing a 2028 comeback.

    “looks like history will be kept…”
    — Mike Johnson

    1. 1 outlet first by ABC News, 4d ago · read ↗

  7. 5 days quiet
  8. 1

    Johnson signals he intends to stay on as GOP leader

    Reports indicate Johnson hinted he would remain atop House Republicans even if the party lost its majority, unsettling the party's leadership outlook.

    1. 17 outlets Mike Johnson to step down as House Republican leader

      first by Anadolu Agency, 3d ago · also Straits Times, Orlando Sentinel, Mercury News, Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, Associated Press +10

      15 more headlines
    2. 3 outlets Johnson Stepping Aside, Setting Up House GOP Leadership Fight

      first by NewsMax.com, 3d ago · also American Greatness, ABC News

      2 more headlines
    1 more claim →
    • wellborn.net@bsky.brid.gy

      Mike Johnson spent two years letting Fuckface use the House as a doormat, and now he thinks he gets to keep the job after losing it. God told him so, apparently. Jim Jordan is circling with no jacket, and Scalise is sharpening knives. Pass the popcorn. Johnson signals he’ll remain a...

      wellborn.net@bsky.brid.gyMastodon10d agoview on Mastodon ↗

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 3 outlets Mike Johnson will step aside as top House Republican next Congress

    first by NPR Politics, 3d ago · also Baltimore Sun, NPR

    1 more headline
  2. 2 outlets Mike Johnson Won't Lead The GOP Minority — Two Republicans Are Trying To Replace Him So Far

    first by The Daily Wire, 3d ago · also Daily Wire

and 9 smaller pieces

What people are saying 4 voices from 1 site · best of 19 · verbatim

Still unanswered
  • Will Scalise or Jordan win the Nov. 10 internal vote for minority leader?
  • Will Trump stay neutral in the race as he claims, or quietly back a candidate?