President-elect Trump is raiding the House of Representatives as he stocks his cabinet, threatening to cut into what’s likely to be a razor-thin majority for Speaker Mike Johnson in the early days of his new administration.
On the House side, Trump has selected Mike Waltz, a Florida congressman, to serve as his national security advisor, according to people familiar with the choice. Waltz joins Elise Stefanik, the New York congresswoman and chair of the Republican caucus, as lawmakers primed to leave Capitol Hill for a job working for the incoming president. Trump will also reach into the the Senate, with the expected appointment of Marco Rubio of Florida as secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The loss of two Republicans will tighten margins conside rably for Johnson, who only took the speaker’s gavel after former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted following a prolonged leadership battle among Republicans that paralysed the chamber. And while Republicans may be favoured to win back the empty seats, the slots will remain vacant until filled in a special election.
With 218 seats needed to control the 435-member House, Republicans Monday were leading in races that have been decided, 214-205, according to AP. Democrats are leading in many of the 17 uncalled races, but the GOP was strongly favored to ultimately take the majority.
In the Senate, Republicans have already secured a majority, and Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, would choose Rubio’s successor if he’s formally nominated and confirmed by the Senate.