Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is fighting to maintain his leadership role after his year-end spending bill, spanning 1,547 pages, collapsed just one day after being released, and with top Republicans, including Donald Trump and JD Vance, opposing the deal, Johnson’s future as Speaker is now uncertain.

Johnson’s leadership is facing significant pressure after his spending plan faltered, with key Republicans publicly rebelling and challenging his ability to manage the House, as Breitbart reports.

The speaker's proposed spending deal, released on Tuesday night, was immediately met with criticism from Republicans across the political spectrum. The bill, designed to fund the government and address other key priorities, was criticized by conservatives, moderates, and even a committee chairman for making too many concessions to Democrats.

Trump and Vance weighed in on the controversy Thursday, calling for Republicans to push through a simple continuing resolution, which would only address the debt ceiling. Their statement, which directly opposed Johnson's plan, was seen as a major blow to the Speaker's efforts to pass the bill.

Among other vocal critics of Johnson’s spending deal were tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and several Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). Musk had previously warned Republicans against supporting the bill, arguing that it favored Democratic interests over conservative priorities. Both Paul and Hawley expressed their frustration with Johnson's inability to stand firm against the demands of the opposing party.

Key Republicans Rebel Against Johnson’s Leadership

The controversy surrounding Johnson’s leadership has led to mounting uncertainty about his future as Speaker. On Wednesday, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) suggested that Johnson's chances of being reelected as Speaker in January 2025 were now “even odds.” The Speaker election is set for the first day of the new Congress, but Johnson’s position has been called into question by rising opposition within his own party.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), a vocal critic of Johnson, announced his intention to vote for someone else for Speaker, though he declined to name a specific candidate. His opposition reflects a broader sentiment among some Republicans that Johnson has failed to effectively lead the House.

Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) also joined the chorus of discontent, criticizing Johnson for delegating key negotiations to staff members instead of taking a more hands-on approach himself. Burlison argued that Johnson's lack of personal engagement in negotiations had contributed to poor outcomes, particularly in dealing with the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Trump and Vance’s Rejection Shakes Johnson’s Support

Even with these challenges, Johnson has continued to defend his leadership and his spending bill, which included provisions that he argued would ensure government funding and prevent a shutdown. However, many Republicans have pointed to what they consider to be problematic elements of the bill, including provisions that could be seen as concessions to Democrats, such as protections for Congress from outside investigations and a provision giving lawmakers raises.

Johnson’s relationship with Trump, who had previously been neutral toward his leadership, also appears to be shifting. Trump’s criticism of the spending deal was seen as a significant turning point in the Speaker’s tenure. Trump and Vance’s joint statement calling for a clean continuing resolution marked a decisive moment, signaling a clear break from Johnson’s leadership strategy.

The speaker’s handling of the negotiations has drawn significant scrutiny, particularly his failure to secure key conservative priorities. Johnson had promised in September not to pass a large, omnibus year-end bill. However, his proposal has been described as an "omnibus by another name," leading many to question his commitment to conservative principles.

Calls for New Leadership as Challenges Mount

Some Republicans, including Burlison, have suggested that Johnson's leadership style and inability to manage the negotiations effectively contributed to the bill’s collapse. Burlison compared Johnson’s leadership to that of a parent giving a child a budget to buy a Christmas gift -- arguing that, like the child, Johnson had failed to deliver the best value under difficult circumstances.

As Johnson’s leadership struggles, several prominent Republicans are reportedly eyeing potential bids for the Speakership. Among the possible challengers are Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA). However, none of these figures are expected to officially challenge Johnson until his position is formally in jeopardy.

The pressure on Johnson has intensified following his failure to secure key priorities in the spending bill. His handling of border security provisions, his failure to prioritize them over Ukraine aid, and the extension of FISA reauthorization have all been points of contention with conservative lawmakers.

Johnson Faces Mounting Criticism Amid Rising Tensions

Some Republican lawmakers are now suggesting that the party might be better served with new leadership as the challenges of governing intensify. If Johnson cannot secure enough support from his party members, Republicans could face significant hurdles in passing government funding bills in the future, leaving the House in a difficult position as they prepare for the next phase of governance.

With less than two weeks until the Speaker election, Johnson’s critics are emboldened, and his path to reelection remains uncertain. His leadership has been called into question by members of both the conservative and moderate wings of the Republican Party, who see his handling of the spending bill and other negotiations as failures.

Johnson’s rise to the speakership followed the ouster of Kevin McCarthy and multiple failed attempts to elect a new Speaker. Despite his personal popularity within the House, his lack of experience in high-level negotiations and fundraising has been cited as a potential reason for his inability to meet the expectations of his party’s more conservative factions.

As the election draws closer, it remains to be seen whether Johnson can rally enough support within his party to retain his position or whether Republicans will turn to a new leader capable of guiding them through the upcoming legislative challenges. The clock is ticking, and with every new criticism, Johnson’s chances of holding on to the Speaker’s gavel seem more uncertain.

In the meantime, Republicans are grappling with the fallout from Johnson’s failed spending deal and the potential fallout of a leadership shakeup that could further divide an already fractured party. As the House approaches the new year, all eyes are on Johnson and whether he can overcome the growing resistance within his own ranks.