House Speaker Mike Johnson to Step Down After Midterm Losses

House Speaker Mike Johnson will not serve as the top Republican leader in the next Congress.

A source familiar with Johnson's plans confirmed the move on Tuesday night. The Louisiana Republican served two terms in the role. He took office in 2023 after California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position. Johnson's departure creates an opening for the lead Republican in the minority.

Republicans face leadership elections on Nov. 10 to fill that role. The party lost its majority in the House following the midterm elections. Historically, the president's party loses seats during these midterms. This cycle saw Democrats flip seats in traditionally red states. Those states had previously voted for the president.

Johnson acknowledged the historical trend in remarks delivered Tuesday evening. He noted that it is rare for a sitting president's party to hold or gain seats in the first two-year cycle of a term. He stated that history appeared to hold true in the recent election results. Johnson worked closely with the current administration during his tenure as speaker.

The new Congress will feature a different dynamic for the incoming leadership. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York is the presumptive next House Speaker. He will hold the position as the first Black lawmaker elected to that role. Jeffries will have a comfortable margin in the House. This majority differs from Johnson's narrow control, where even one defection could stall Republican priorities.

Jeffries will work with a group of lawmakers elected with support from the Democratic Socialists of America. These members intend to push the party further to the left. However, the size of the Democratic margin suggests Jeffries can likely achieve his legislative goals even if some members vote against him. The shift in leadership marks a change in how the House will operate in the coming session.