Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) argued on ABC's "This Week" that Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) will remain Speaker of the House, despite efforts by members of the Freedom Caucus to oust him. He stressed that any attempt to remove Johnson would be detrimental to the House’s effectiveness and could risk wasting valuable time on internal conflicts.

Lawler emphasized that no member of the Freedom Caucus could secure the 218 votes needed to replace Johnson, warning that removing him would be a mistake, Breitbart reported.

Lawler appeared on the Sunday morning show to discuss the future of the House leadership, particularly focusing on the possibility of replacing Speaker Mike Johnson. He reiterated his belief that Johnson would continue in the role due to the inability of his detractors to gather the necessary votes.

Lawler, a staunch supporter of Johnson, dismissed efforts by certain factions within the Republican Party to replace him, arguing that such a move would only destabilize the party.

In addition, Lawler criticized the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, calling it "the single stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in politics." He drew a parallel between the removal of McCarthy and any potential move to oust Johnson, calling both efforts "equally as stupid."

Lawler’s criticism reflects growing frustration within some parts of the Republican Party, especially after the chaos that ensued when McCarthy was ousted from office.

Despite these challenges, Lawler reaffirmed his support for Johnson, describing him as arguably "the most conservative speaker that’s ever been elected to the office."

Lawler praised Johnson for his ability to unify the Republican conference and push through major issues, even in the face of internal division.

He also highlighted the significance of Johnson’s leadership in maintaining Republican control of the House, despite opposition from some members of the Freedom Caucus.

Divisions in the GOP Over Leadership

Lawler noted that the Republican Party had managed to retain control of the House, in part, because of seats like his, which helped balance out the impact of some members calling for Johnson's removal.

Lawler made it clear that he was not going to "bend to their will" just as he had refused to back down during the battle over McCarthy’s ousting. His position signals a broader divide within the GOP over the direction of leadership in the House.

Further defending Johnson, Lawler stressed that attempts to replace him would not result in a more conservative speaker. He argued that the Freedom Caucus members pushing for Johnson’s removal were underestimating his conservative credentials and ability to lead the party effectively.

"If they think somehow that they are going to end up in a stronger position by removing Mike Johnson, they’re not," Lawler asserted.

As discussions about the future of the Republican leadership continue, Lawler warned against wasting time on internal conflicts. He pointed out that the party's focus should remain on addressing key issues facing the American public, including economic policy, border security, energy, and foreign affairs.

Lawler argued that the failure to have a clear leader in place would prevent the House from taking meaningful action on these critical issues.

The Importance of Having a Speaker

Lawler emphasized the practical need for a Speaker of the House to move the legislative process forward. He pointed out that major decisions, such as certifying President Trump’s election on January 6th, could not take place without a functioning Speaker.

"We can’t get anything done unless we have a speaker," Lawler said, describing the internal GOP struggles as a "nonsensical food fight" that was distracting from the party’s broader objectives.

The Republican leadership has faced multiple challenges in recent months, especially with the tensions over Speaker Johnson’s position.

However, Lawler’s comments underscore his belief that Johnson’s leadership is essential for the party’s unity and success. Lawler also noted that even if a few Republicans, such as Rep. Thomas Massey, do not support Johnson, the party still has the necessary votes to keep him in office.

GOP Leadership at a Crossroads

Lawler warned that members of the Freedom Caucus seeking to replace Johnson were "playing with fire" and would not be able to secure enough support to push through a new leader. He added that the idea of gaining 218 votes for a candidate outside of the current leadership was unrealistic. "They’re kidding themselves," Lawler stated, indicating the difficulties of gathering support for a challenger within the party.

The ongoing debates over leadership reflect deeper divisions within the Republican Party as it navigates its role in the upcoming election cycle. While some members of the party continue to push for more conservative leadership, others are focused on maintaining a unified front to face the challenges of governance.

As discussions continue, the future of the GOP leadership remains uncertain, but for now, Mike Johnson’s position as Speaker appears secure.

Looking Toward the Future of the GOP

In conclusion, Lawler’s statements provide a strong defense of Speaker Mike Johnson, emphasizing that attempts to remove him would not only fail but could potentially harm the Republican Party’s ability to govern effectively.

As Lawler put it, the focus needs to shift from internal party struggles to addressing the pressing issues facing the nation. With the 2024 election looming, the stability of the Republican leadership will be critical in shaping the party's future.