Former Trump strategist Steven K. Bannon has called for House Speaker Mike Johnson to step down before the end of 2024, urging a change in leadership to better serve the MAGA movement.

Bannon criticized Johnson and called on him to resign for failing to deliver on critical issues, including the debt ceiling increase, which led to frustration among key conservative figures such as former President Trump, entrepreneur Elon Musk, and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, as Breitbart reports.

The former Trump advisor specifically pointed to Johnson’s handling of the latest continuing resolution, which he described as a misstep that burdened President Trump’s administration.

According to Bannon, the resolution was poorly structured, with provisions that benefited House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and included a 35 percent pay raise for Congress members.

Bannon made his remarks during an interview with Breitbart News at the Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest event in Phoenix, Arizona. He argued that Johnson’s continued leadership would hinder progress as the Jan. 6 election certification approaches. He also highlighted growing opposition to Johnson within the Republican Party.

Internal Republican Opposition to Johnson Grows

The former White House strategist pointed out that approximately 10 to 20 House Republicans are firmly opposed to Johnson’s leadership. These members are unlikely to change their stance, according to Bannon, who believes this resistance is a key reason for his call for a resignation. He also emphasized that this faction’s opposition could complicate the process of certifying the election on Jan. 6, 2025.

“Johnson should, right now, resign,” Bannon said. “There’s 10 to 15 to 20 guys who are hard no’s on Johnson and are not going to be changed.” He added that this division within the House Republicans made it increasingly difficult for Johnson to be an effective leader.

In his comments, Bannon expressed concern that Johnson’s handling of the debt ceiling and the continuing resolution would lead to confusion, potentially undermining efforts to manage other pressing issues like national debt and border security. He suggested that new leadership could better handle these challenges, including the looming election certification process.

Bannon Proposes Leadership Change Before Year-End

Bannon called for a change in leadership before Christmas, suggesting someone like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) could take over as Speaker of the House. He emphasized the need for a new leader who could focus on key conservative priorities, including election certification, border security, and energy policy. The speaker's position, he argued, is critical as the nation heads into the election season, and any further missteps could jeopardize the MAGA agenda.

While Bannon acknowledged the importance of avoiding chaos in the final weeks of the year, he made it clear that he sees the transition as urgent. “It’s time… in the week before Christmas and New Year’s, let’s change our leadership,” he said. “Let’s get on with it so on January 6 we can certify the election, and you can start doing the confirmations.”

Bannon’s remarks come at a time when political tensions in Washington are high, with the GOP split on key issues such as the debt ceiling and funding for government operations. Bannon pointed out that the resolution Johnson signed into law had created confusion and left many conservative figures feeling dissatisfied. By contrast, Bannon’s proposal for a leadership change reflects a desire for clearer, more focused action heading into 2025.

Criticism of Johnson’s Handling of Continuing Resolution

Bannon also took issue with the fact that Johnson’s actions seemed to prioritize maintaining power and appeasing the political establishment, rather than advancing conservative policies. “Johnson screwed that up by including 1,500 pages,” Bannon said. “And they got themselves a 35 percent pay raise, and got them off Obamacare, which is why the guy got shot in the back in New York City.”

Bannon’s calls for resignation have intensified as he expressed disappointment in Johnson’s inability to address what he saw as straightforward legislative tasks. He compared Johnson’s failure to pass a simple continuing resolution to the larger challenges the country faces, including handling the national debt and reforming government policies.

Call for New Leadership to Align with MAGA Goals

Throughout the interview, Bannon stressed the need for new leadership to align with the goals of President Trump and the broader MAGA movement, urging Republicans to avoid the kind of surprises that have plagued their legislative efforts in recent months. He warned that if the party continued down its current path under Johnson’s leadership, it would only lead to further dysfunction and missed opportunities.

Bannon’s call for a leadership change is unlikely to be the last word in the ongoing debate over the direction of the Republican Party. As the January 6 certification looms, the GOP is facing critical decisions on leadership and policy, with Bannon urging the party to make swift and decisive moves to ensure it can unite and advance its agenda in the new year.

“This is outrageous; Johnson’s got to go as Speaker of the House,” Bannon concluded, signaling that his criticism of the current leadership is likely to continue. The next few weeks could be pivotal for the future of the Republican Party as it grapples with questions of leadership and direction.

Political Stakes High as the Year Ends

With the stakes high and time running short, Bannon’s comments are part of an ongoing push to reshape the GOP and ensure that it is ready for the challenges ahead, including the upcoming presidential election and the ongoing debates over national governance.

As the year draws to a close, the question remains: will Speaker Johnson step down, or will his leadership be tested through another turbulent political season?