Lawler says Johnson should be House Speaker: He ‘inherited a disaster’

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., said Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., should be reelected as House Speaker, claiming he “inherited a disaster.”

During an appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” Lawler told host Jonathan Karl that Johnson faces significant challenges ahead but has strongly navigated existing problems in the House since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was removed from the position in October 2023.

“The fact is that Mike Johnson inherited a disaster when Matt Gaetz and several of my colleagues teamed up with 208 Democrats to remove Kevin McCarthy, which will go down as the single stupidest thing I’ve ever seen in politics,” Lawler said.

Lawler said several lawmakers view Johnson’s leadership as crucial for overcoming these challenges.

The New York Republican said he supports Johnson’s reappointment, saying it could lead the House in a positive direction.