President-elect Donald Trump extended cautious backing to House Speaker Mike Johnson following Republican discord over a failed government funding proposal, casting doubt on Johnson’s leadership while signaling support as long as decisive actions are taken.

Republican infighting over a rejected government funding resolution has amplified concerns about a looming government shutdown and raised the stakes for Johnson’s re-election bid as House speaker, with Trump suggesting that his backing is not guaranteed, as the Washington Examiner reports.

House Republicans faced a major setback on Wednesday when a continuing resolution to fund the government was scrapped due to mounting opposition within the party.

The measure, which would have extended funding until March 2025, drew sharp criticism from the House Freedom Caucus and prominent figures, including Trump, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and tech mogul Elon Musk. Provisions such as congressional pay raises, disaster aid, and farmer assistance were among the contentious inclusions.

Trump Questions Johnson’s Leadership Amid Crisis

Trump described the funding proposal as a “trap” set by Democrats, calling it unacceptable. His support for Speaker Johnson hinged on Johnson’s ability to counter such pitfalls decisively. In an NBC interview, Trump stated, “If the speaker acts decisively, and tough, and gets rid of all of the traps being set by the Democrats...he will easily remain speaker.”

The president-elect, however, tempered his support with skepticism, adding, “We’ll see.” The ambivalence reflects broader concerns within the Republican Party as Johnson faces scrutiny ahead of a crucial Jan. 3, 2025, vote to retain his position.

Freedom Caucus Adds to Internal Republican Pressure

The funding resolution also faced backlash from the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which has been vocal about the need for fiscal discipline. Lawmakers and party leaders criticized the proposed pay raises and significant funding provisions, viewing them as concessions to Democratic Party priorities. The opposition prompted House GOP leadership to cancel a vote on the bill late Wednesday, underscoring internal divisions.

Vance joined Trump in denouncing the resolution, emphasizing the need for a streamlined spending bill that aligns with Republican principles. In a joint statement, Trump and Vance declared, “If Democrats won’t cooperate on the debt ceiling now, what makes anyone think they would do it in June during our administration?”

Debate Over Debt Ceiling Intensifies

As the government shutdown deadline looms, Trump has proposed eliminating the debt ceiling altogether. He described the move as “the smartest thing [Congress] could do,” signaling a willingness to lead efforts to abolish it during his upcoming administration. However, his remarks have drawn criticism from Democrats, who accuse Republicans of political brinkmanship.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded sharply to the prospect of a shutdown, asserting that Republicans would bear the blame for any harm caused. “House Republicans will now own any harm that is visited upon the American people that results from a government shutdown,” Jeffries said.

Stakes Rise Ahead of Shutdown Deadline

With Friday’s midnight deadline fast approaching, the inability to pass a spending bill raises the likelihood of a government shutdown. The rejected resolution included over $100 billion for natural disaster relief and $10 billion for agricultural support, highlighting its potential impact on critical programs.

Johnson, navigating fierce intra-party criticism, is under growing pressure to deliver a solution that unites Republicans while addressing broader fiscal challenges. Johnson’s leadership has been called into question as lawmakers brace for further turbulence leading up to his re-election vote.

Trump Shifts Focus to Blaming Democrats

Despite GOP divisions, Trump has preemptively sought to shift blame for any shutdown onto President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats. In a direct critique, Trump argued, “If there’s going to be a shutdown, we’re going to start it with a Democratic president.”

This rhetoric underscores an effort to frame the impending crisis as a failure of Democratic leadership, even as Republican infighting remains a central obstacle. Jeffries countered, emphasizing bipartisan agreements already reached and accusing the GOP of reneging on commitments.

Republican Leadership Faces Crucial Test

The chaos surrounding the funding proposal represents a pivotal moment for Republican leadership. With the January speaker vote approaching, Johnson’s ability to navigate these challenges may determine his political future.

His critics within the party have expressed dissatisfaction with his handling of the crisis, further complicating his path forward.

As negotiations continue, the pressure to find common ground intensifies. Whether Republicans can overcome internal divisions and reach an agreement remains uncertain. The stakes, both political and practical, grow higher with each passing day.

In the meantime, public attention will remain fixed on Speaker Johnson’s actions and President-elect Trump’s conditional support as the government teeters on the brink of shutdown.