This Week in Politics
Trump Protects Speaker Johnson
Former President Donald J. Trump has stated his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson amid turmoil. Republican Representative Majorie Taylor Greene has created a motion to oust the speaker. Mr Johnson has been a longstanding ally and supporter of Mr Trump (so has Majorie Taylor Greene) and the presidential candidate affirmed his support due to this. Moreover, the GOP has an interest in avoiding another ousting, like former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as it could tarnish their image as real lawmakers. Standing in Mar-a-Lago next to Speaker Johnson Trump said:
“We’re getting along very well with the speaker, and I get along very well with Marjorie. We have a speaker who was voted in, and it was a complicated process. And I think very, it’s not, not an easy situation for any speaker.”
Sources say it was the speaker's idea to hold the conference, Mr Trump went on to say he is “doing a very good job." Johnson is seeing his biggest challenge so far and considering how it went for his predecessor he is not taking any risks. Greene has yet to file the motion, that would force a vote. However, she has been toying with the idea as she finds Mike Johnson too willing to compromise with Democrats. Mr Trump's coming to the speaker's aid may help in solidifying Mike Johnson as the House Speaker for now.
Labour Deputy Leader Pledges to Step Down if Found Guilty of a Crime
Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour Party in the United Kingdom has pledged to step down if a police investigation finds her guilty of a crime. The Greater Manchester police stated they were looking into the sale of her former council house. There are allegations of breaching electoral law and avoiding capital gains tax. Moreover, she has been accused of giving false information about where she lived before she was elected as an MP. The Conservatives have called for her to release the legal and tax advice she received. This would prove she did not avoid paying capital gains tax on the £1,500 profit from the sale of the council home as the Tories advocating for it will say. Rayner expressed she would only publish "personal" information if those calling for her to do it did the same. Senior Labour figures including Ed Miliband and Sadiq Khan have rallied to her support. Normally such an investigation would have consequences for the party, however, considering the state of the Conservatives Labour is likely to weather this without major repercussions.
