Speaker Battle Could Delay Trump Certification: A ‘Doomsday Scenario’ Looms

Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has warned that if House Republicans oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), it could trigger delays in certifying Donald Trump as the next president. According to Pergram, this “doomsday scenario” could become a reality if internal GOP discord escalates into what one Republican lawmaker described as a “mob” taking control of the House.

Speaking on Christmas Eve, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) acknowledged that Johnson’s re-election as Speaker is far from guaranteed. While she praised Johnson as a “good person,” she expressed doubts about his resilience, stating, “We’re dealing with the mob here, so I’m not sure how tough he is.”

Pergram elaborated on the potential consequences during his segment, explaining the procedural challenges a Speaker’s removal could create. “If the House fails to elect a speaker on the first vote, it must vote repeatedly until it elects a speaker,” he noted. “Now in 2023, that process consumed five days. It was the longest speaker election since 1859. President Trump could be a difference maker.”

The correspondent also highlighted Johnson’s close communication with President-elect Trump, sharing a clip of the Speaker emphasizing his ongoing coordination with Trump. However, Pergram added, “But Mr. Trump is said to be frustrated with Johnson.”

He outlined the critical risk if the House fails to elect a new Speaker promptly. “Here is the doomsday scenario: Say the House takes as long as it did two years ago to elect the Speaker. That means it cannot certify the Electoral College on Jan. 6. That House can’t do anything, including swearing in the members, until it picks a new Speaker.”

The potential for delays in certifying the Electoral College results could disrupt the formal transition of power, throwing Congress into disarray at a pivotal moment. Pergram’s warning underscores the high stakes of internal Republican dynamics as they navigate leadership challenges.

With the possibility of history repeating itself in a protracted Speaker election, GOP lawmakers face increasing pressure to unify behind Johnson or risk jeopardizing Trump’s certification and the functionality of the House. Whether Johnson can withstand the internal pressures remains to be seen, but the implications of failure could ripple across the political landscape.