Mike Johnson says voters made the wrong choice in the US midterm elections and has warned that a Democrat-led Congress will bring “chaos” over the next two years.
The Louisiana representative, who will lose his role as Speaker of the House in January, said Republicans had been on course to continue delivering for the American people before Democrats secured control of Congress.
“I’m not going to tell the president how to do his job, we have an incredible record. I’m sorry that the voters made the wrong choice,” Mr Johnson told CNN.
“I really do believe that this next two years is going to be a bit of a circus. It’s going to be chaos… and that’s a great tragedy.”
Republicans failed to retain their slim majority in both chambers after a wave of Democratic victories. The party is projected to take a historic 255-seat majority in the House as votes continue to be counted, leaving Republicans with little power.
Mr Johnson has said he will not seek the position of minority leader after the losses. Ohio Republican Jim Jordan and Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise have emerged as candidates to lead the diminished Republican conference.
Mr Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, is a prolific fundraiser and has led heated investigations. However, former colleagues from the Freedom Caucus have turned against him, leaving uncertainty over whether he can build enough support after failing in a bid for Speaker three years ago.
Mr Scalise, a member of Mr Johnson’s leadership team, is expected to emphasise his fundraising record and reputation as a unifying figure. A separate contest is developing for the conference’s second-highest leadership post, with August Pfluger challenging Tom Emmer.
Democrats prepare investigations
Democrats are preparing to use their new control of congressional subpoena powers to investigate figures linked to Donald Trump’s administration.
Robert Garcia, who is expected to become chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has warned those involved to “lawyer up”. He has identified chief of staff Stephen Miller as a potential target over his role in immigration policy.
“What we think is that Stephen Miller is the architect of this horrific, unjust policy happening across the country in the way that we are treating folks,” Mr Garcia said.
He also said Mr Miller’s role in policies involving family separation, detention and due process rights should be investigated. Mr Garcia has suggested that Elon Musk and people with the surname Trump could also face scrutiny.
Hakeem Jeffries, who is in line to become the next House Speaker, said he had “zero interest” in working with Mr Miller, whom he called a “stone-cold racist”.
Mr Johnson also criticised efforts to impeach Pete Hegseth, saying it would be inappropriate to target a cabinet secretary during the Iran War.
“Impeaching a cabinet secretary right now, especially the Department of War in the middle of hostilities abroad, would be a terrible look,” he said. “We don’t impeach cabinet secretaries for political gain or cheap tricks and I think everybody knows that’s what that is.”
The Democratic gains in North Carolina, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were driven by dissatisfaction with Mr Trump and rising living costs, according to the source material. The shift is expected to bring legislative gridlock, spending disputes and further government shutdowns during the final two years of his presidency.
