Mike Johnson declines House minority leader role after GOP midterm losses

Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House, has said he will not pursue the role of minority leader after his party's midterm defeat, according to multiple reports. This decision yields the top Republican House position to another party member. Johnson's move follows Republicans' disastrous midterm losses and comes as Fox News reported that Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, chair of the House judiciary committee, was planning an effort to oust Johnson for the minority leader role. Jordan previously sought the position in 2023 after Kevin McCarthy lost the speakership but failed to secure enough votes.