Republican US House speaker to step down after midterm rout

US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Wednesday that he will resign as Republican leader following his party's disastrous midterm election results. Johnson, the highest-ranking Republican in the United States, is second in line for the presidency. He announced his decision on Wednesday morning, just days after Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress, in a clear rejection of Trump's party and policies.

Johnson had been House Speaker since October 2023, stepping into the role after Kevin McCarthy was ousted following weeks of Republican infighting. The Louisiana Republican led the House during the party's narrow House majority, but his decision not to seek the minority leadership allows for a leadership contest between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan.

Trump praised Johnson's leadership but stated he would not participate in the search for a successor. Johnson won re-election to his Louisiana seat, and his decision does not mean he is immediately leaving Congress. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries formally sought support from his colleagues to become the next speaker, the first Black to hold the position in US history.