WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson has successfully retained his position after a dramatic House vote, narrowly securing re-election with a vote of 218 to 215. Initially faced with possible defeat in the first round, Johnson's prospects changed when two Republican holdouts, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), switched their votes in favor of Johnson after discussions with President-elect Donald Trump.

Johnson needed nearly every Republican vote in a House where his party holds a slim majority of 219 seats. Facing opposition over issues related to government spending and bipartisan deals, Johnson began his re-election bid with uncertainty. Notably, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) voted against him, backing Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) instead.

The turning point came when Trump contacted Norman and Self, voicing his support for Johnson and arguing about his ability to unify Republican members. Following these discussions, both lawmakers opted to support Johnson, cementing his victory.

"Congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson for receiving an unprecedented Vote of Confidence in Congress," Trump posted on Truth Social after Johnson's win. "Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary," he added, emphasizing the expectation of strong leadership moving forward.

The outcome reflects the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, where divisions may affect legislative agendas. With Trump's backing, Johnson aims to navigate these challenges while addressing critical issues like federal spending and Trump's broader policy goals.

During the debates leading up to the vote, several other GOP members initially withheld their support, keeping the results uncertain until the last moment. Ultimately, though, a total of 215 Democrats held firm in support of their candidate, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), demonstrating a clear line of party loyalty among Democratic representatives.

As Johnson prepares for a new term, he must confront the reality of a fractured party dynamic amidst Trump's rising influence.