Can Mike Johnson Get Out of This Mess?

Punchbowl News: “At some point today, House Republicans and Democrats will likely have separate party meetings to chart their path forward. Democrats have announced their meeting for 9 a.m.”

“But make no mistake — this is Johnson and Trump’s mess to solve. And we’re inching toward a shutdown as government funding runs out at midnight Friday…”

“It was obvious to us — and most other members of Johnson’s leadership team — that the speaker badly misjudged the mood of the House Republican Conference. Johnson blindsided members, which is worse. And that’s to say nothing of his miscalculation of Trump’s desires, wants and equities in the fight. And how about Democrats? Can they trust Johnson to do another deal after this episode?”

“So how damaged is Johnson? The speaker election is in 15 days. There are members — more than a dozen — who assert that Johnson won’t be the speaker in the next Congress. It’s early. Let’s see how Johnson gets out of this mess.”