In a surprising turn of events, the potential for Donald Trump's presidency to be delayed has emerged, despite his decisive victory over Kamala Harris in the recent November elections.
The cause of this uncertainty lies in the absence of a certified Speaker of the House, a position currently held by Mike Johnson. Johnson's re-election as Speaker, scheduled for this Friday, is under threat, raising questions about the certification of the election results.
According to WND, the alarm was raised on national television, specifically on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures." The show's host, Jason Chaffetz, quoted Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram, who stated, "The House absolutely, unequivocally cannot do anything until it elects a speaker, period." He further explained that without a Speaker, the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, which would officially declare Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 6.
Pergram continued to outline the potential consequences of this unprecedented situation, stating, "What happens if the Electoral College isnt sorted out by Jan. 20? Well, President Biden is done, so hes gone. The same with Harris. Next in the presidential line of succession is the speaker of the House." He further speculated that if the House is still attempting to elect a Speaker on January 20, the President pro tempore of the Senate, Chuck Grassley, could likely become 'acting President,' a scenario he described as venturing into "serious, extra-constitutional turf."
U.S. Representative James Comer, the House Oversight Committee chairman, addressed these concerns, noting, "No one ran against Mike Johnson. To this day, and here we are inside a week of the speakers vote, there is still not a single declared candidate." He expressed his hope that his colleagues would elect Johnson and begin working on President Trump's agenda.
However, unity within the Republican party is not guaranteed. Chaffetz mentioned Rep. Andy Harris, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, who has not fully committed to Johnson as Speaker. Comer acknowledged this challenge, stating, "Its a terrible challenge. Weve seen it play out over the past two years." He urged President Trump to intervene and unite the party, emphasizing the importance of the first hundred days of Trump's presidency.
Later in the broadcast, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, the incoming House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, expressed his support for Johnson, stating, "In the end I think Mike Johnson will be a great speaker, hes going to be known as the DOGE speaker." He added, "I think hes gonna do a damn good job."
This situation underscores the importance of unity within the Republican party and the need for swift action to ensure the smooth transition of power. The potential delay in certifying President Trump's election and the start of his presidency could have significant implications for his administration and the country. As such, the upcoming vote for the Speaker of the House is not just a matter of internal party politics, but a critical juncture in American political history.
Login