Mike Johnson steps down as House Republican leader after midterm defeat

Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson will step down as Republican leader following his party's crushing defeat in the midterm elections, his spokesman confirmed to AFP on Wednesday. Johnson, the highest-ranking Republican after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, told staff of his decision Wednesday morning, a day after Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress. The Louisiana Republican had led the House since October 2023, emerging as a compromise candidate after weeks of infighting following Kevin McCarthy's ouster. His decision not to seek minority leadership clears the way for a contest between House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan. Trump praised Johnson's leadership and said he would "stay out of" the race, with a vote expected next Tuesday. Johnson won reelection to his seat and is not immediately resigning as speaker. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries formally sought colleagues' support to become the next speaker, a position he is widely expected to secure in January, which would make him the first Black speaker in US history.