"US House Speaker a Good Person" Trump Defends Johnson Who Passed Ukraine Budget

Trump "Johnson Also Working Hard"
House Speaker Impeachment Move Likely to Fizzle Out

Former President Donald Trump has come to the defense of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who led the passage of a security budget package to support Ukraine and other countries in the U.S. House of Representatives. As hardline Republican lawmakers opposing aid to Ukraine have raised the possibility of removing Speaker Johnson, former President Trump’s support for Johnson suggests that the issue is likely to end as a 'tempest in a teapot.'

According to the U.S. political news outlet Politico on the 23rd (local time), in an interview with John Frederick Radio the previous day, former President Trump said regarding Speaker Johnson, who led the passage of the security aid budget for Ukraine and others, "Although we are the majority party in the House, that does not mean he can do whatever he wants."

Trump emphasized, "He is a very good person," and added, "When I said that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) should pay more money, he strongly supported me. I think he is working hard."

Foreign media have offered various interpretations regarding the sudden defense of Speaker Johnson by former President Trump, who had previously opposed aid to Ukraine.

First, the House decided to provide $9.5 billion of the $60.8 billion Ukraine aid budget in the form of loans. This aligns with former President Trump’s plan, which opposes free aid. Additionally, Speaker Johnson reportedly visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on the 12th to persuade him directly. After Johnson’s visit, former President Trump posted on social media that "Ukraine’s survival is important to the United States."

With former President Trump publicly expressing trust in Speaker Johnson, it is expected that the impeachment efforts against Johnson led by hardliners within the House will also subside.