The key facts

  • Mike Johnson informed his staff of the decision on Wednesday morning; his press secretary confirmed it to AFP with the word 'Accurate'.
  • The decision was made one day after Democrats secured a majority in the House of Representatives.
  • Johnson remains Speaker and a member of Congress; likely contenders for leadership are Scalise and Jordan.

Johnson will not lead Republicans in the new Congress

US House Speaker Mike Johnson informed his staff that he will not seek to retain the position of Republican leader in the House for the next Congress. Regarding the call with staff on Wednesday morning NBC News reported, citing four participants in the conversation, and Johnson's press secretary confirmed the decision to AFP, responding with a single word: 'Accurate' (correct).

Context of the defeat and Johnson's path to the speakership

The decision was made one day after the midterm elections, when Democrats secured a majority in the House of Representatives. According to AFP, Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress, which the outlet describes as a broad rejection of Trump's party. Johnson, a 54-year-old Republican from Louisiana, became Speaker in October 2023 as a compromise figure following weeks of intra-party struggle and the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy; since then, he has held the position for two terms. He occupies the third spot in the presidential line of succession after Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

What the decision changes and what it does not

Johnson actively campaigned to preserve the narrow Republican majority and previously indicated he would remain party leader even if Democrats won, AFP notes. His refusal to compete for the minority leader position opens the way for a contest between current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan — outlets name them as likely successors and anticipate a competitive struggle for leadership. Meanwhile, as AFP emphasizes, Johnson was re-elected in his Louisiana district: his decision does not mean immediate resignation as Speaker or departure from Congress — he continues to perform his duties until new leadership is formed.