Why Conservatives Are Upset with House Speaker Mike Johnson

Why Conservatives Are Upset with House Speaker Mike Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson, once celebrated as a beacon of conservative values within the Republican Party, has increasingly found himself at odds with the very base he was expected to represent. The dissatisfaction among conservatives is multifaceted, stemming from several key legislative and strategic decisions he has made since assuming the speakership.

One of the primary sources of discontent among conservatives is Johnson's approach to government funding. Early in his tenure, Johnson passed a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded, a move that required significant Democratic support due to opposition from his own party. This decision was reminiscent of the strategies employed by his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, which ultimately led to McCarthy's ouster. Conservatives like Rep. Bob Good have criticized Johnson for not securing conservative policy wins, accusing him of merely "passing what the Senate wants" to avoid conflict rather than fighting for reduced spending or policy changes favored by the right-wing of his party.

Another significant point of contention has been Johnson's support for aid to Ukraine. Tucker Carlson, a notable conservative commentator, has publicly criticized Johnson, describing his prioritization of foreign aid over domestic issues as a "kind of treason." This critique resonates with a segment of the Republican base that feels domestic issues, like border security, should be addressed before foreign aid. Johnson's decision to frame aid to Ukraine as a "loan" was an attempt to placate conservative critics, but it did not quell the dissatisfaction entirely, with some seeing it as a continuation of globalist policies rather than a shift towards America First principles.

Johnson's legislative approach has also been scrutinized for not aligning closely enough with the conservative agenda. His tenure has seen moments where he could have pushed for conservative policies but chose instead to seek bipartisan consensus. This has led to accusations of betraying the principles he was elected to uphold. Conservatives have expressed frustration over the lack of aggressive action on issues like abortion, where Johnson's social conservative background would suggest a more combative stance. Moreover, his legislative strategy has sometimes sidelined hardline conservative demands, leading to a perception that he's more aligned with the establishment rather than the far-right of his party.

The internal dynamics within the GOP have also played a role in the growing discontent. Johnson's leadership style, perceived by some as too conciliatory towards Democrats, has led to public and private criticisms from figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has threatened to force a vote on removing him from the speakership. The narrow margin in the House means that even a small number of conservative dissenters can significantly impact his leadership, and his failure to unify the party's right flank has been a noted point of weakness.

Beyond policy disagreements, there's a growing narrative that Johnson might not be trustworthy. His handling of the spending bill, where he reportedly went against his word to pass separate bills, further fueled mistrust. This has been echoed in sentiments on social media platforms like X, where users and commentators have labeled him as a "fraud" for not adhering to conservative principles in his leadership decisions.

While Mike Johnson entered the speakership with high expectations from the conservative wing of the Republican Party, his actions have led to significant disillusionment. His approach to governance, particularly around funding, foreign policy, and party leadership, has not satisfied those who see him as the most conservative speaker in recent times. This discord illustrates the ongoing tension within the GOP between its more moderate and far-right factions, with Johnson's tenure highlighting the challenges of leading a party with such a diverse ideological spectrum. Whether he can reconcile these differences or continue to face opposition from his right flank remains to be seen as the political landscape evolves.