Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y) and House Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) relationship has “completely disintegrated” since she returned to Congress after Donald Trump pulled her nomination to be United Nations ambassador, The New York Times reports.
Stefanik, a Trump sycophant, had already taken a farewell tour of her district, given up her position in GOP House leadership and packed up her congressional office before Trump yanked her nomination and sent her back to Congress amid concerns about the GOP’s narrow majority in the House.
But, Stefanik is not directing her anger at Trump, she is “pinning most of the blame for what happened” on Johnson, according to The Times.
Sources close to Stefanik told the outlet that she “was always aware of the math problem” of the GOP’s narrow majority, “[b]ut her senior aides now blame Mr. Johnson for avoiding a direct conversation with her about his concerns over the vote margin.”
They accuse Johnson of trying to “delay her hearing and poison the well against her nomination along with other secretive moves to slow walk it while saying he supported it.”
Stefanik and Johnson’s relationship “has collapsed” since she returned to Congress, per the Times and observers are worried that the animosity between the two Trump loyalists could affect the party’s ability to pass Trump’s agenda through the lower chamber.
Evidence of the strained relationship between the MAGA loyalists was on full display Tuesday after Johnson suggested he had talked with Stefanik about her possible bid for New York governor, prompting her to issue a rare rebuke on X that it was not true.
Both lawmakers met on Wednesday to try and settle their differences.
After the meeting, Johnson downplayed any tensions, telling reporters “She’s a close friend, trusted friend.”
Asked if he had reached a agreement with Stefanik, Johnson laughed. “No, no,” he said, according to Politico. “This is a totally friendly, collegial thing. She’s a close friend and ally.”
The outlet noted that a flashpoint has been Johnson’s announced plan to put Stefanik back on the House Intelligence Committee. He is yet to follow through on that promise because that would require removing a Republican he already placed on the committee.
Johnson told reporters Wednesday he intends to follow through on his promise “as soon as possible.”
