Gaetz: Johnson victory proves MAGA power over Republican party

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) held up newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) as a shining example of the strength of the “MAGA movement,” after every GOP member of Congress voted for him to be Speaker on Wednesday, ending three weeks of chaos in the House.

Gaetz has worked with Johnson on the House Judiciary Committee for seven years, he told talk show host and former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon during an appearance on his show Wednesday.

“He is sharp. He will be as respected in the homes of our most meaningful, righteous and patriotic donors as he will at the rallies with our most enthusiastic and meaningful activists,” Gaetz said.

House Republicans made Johnson the Speaker after three previous Republicans could not gather enough support after being named the nominee. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was kicked out of the job more than three weeks ago and the House had passed no bills from then until Johnson was elected.

“The swamp is on the run, MAGA is ascendant, and if you don’t think that moving from Kevin McCarthy to MAGA Mike Johnson shows the ascendance of this movement, and where the power of the Republican Party truly lies, then you’re not paying attention,” Gaetz said.

“They are crying, they are hand-wringing, they are bed-wetting over on K Street, because we have an honorable, righteous man who is about to take this position,” he continued. “He’s going to do great things for the country.”

Gaetz spearheaded the effort to oust McCarthy earlier this month, citing a lack of trust and broken promises.

After being elected, Johnson committed to unify the GOP caucus and get back to work.

“We’re in the majority right now,” Johnson said after being sworn in as Speaker. “We’ve gone through a little bit of character building, and you know what it’s produced: more strength, more perseverance and a lot of hope.”

“And that’s what we’re about to deliver to the American people,” he added.

The House is expected to focus on government funding, as a continuing resolution passed late last month to avert a government shutdown runs out of money in just three weeks.