Former President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will be holding a joint press conference on Friday, with a specific focus on election integrity, according to a source familiar with the matter. This appearance is significant, as it occurs amidst a situation where one of Trump’s closest allies is contemplating removing the Speaker from his position.
The press conference will be held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., according to a source. Another source familiar with the matter confirmed that the event is planned for Friday, although the specifics are still being worked out.
Johnson played a crucial role in Trump’s endeavor to challenge the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Their bond has remained strong throughout Johnson’s time in Congress. In fact, Trump showed his support for Johnson’s Speaker candidacy, and in return, the Louisiana Republican endorsed the former president’s 2024 campaign for the presidency.
However, Johnson’s scheduled event coincides with his current predicament on Capitol Hill. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a staunch supporter of former President Trump, has issued a warning that she may initiate a vote to remove Johnson from his position as Speaker of the House.
In the Capitol on Wednesday, Greene and Johnson held a conversation. After the meeting, the Georgia Republican stated that she had not reached an agreement with the Speaker to withdraw her threat of ousting.
The Georgia Republicans did not disclose whether she had discussed her motion-to-vacate strategy with Trump, stating that she does not discuss their conversations.
When questioned about whether he sought Trump’s support in retaining his position as Speaker, Johnson, like his predecessor, declined to provide specifics.
“I won’t discuss private conversations with President Trump. Although I have frequent discussions with him, I prefer not to comment on them in this context. Private conversations are not something I openly discuss,” he explained.
After undermining Johnson’s attempt to pass a bill reauthorizing the U.S.’s warrantless surveillance powers, Trump and Johnson would hold a joint press conference.
Last week, Johnson introduced a bill that aims to extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). However, the absence of a warrant requirement has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.
In an early Wednesday morning post on Truth Social, Trump called on lawmakers to “KILL FISA.”
