In a rare bipartisan move, the US House of Representatives has voted to reject an attempt by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from his leadership role.
Johnson faced removal using the same procedure that was used to remove former Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October. However, most Republicans opposed the vote, with only 11 in favor and 196 against.
Greene had sought to remove Johnson after he made compromises with Democrats over a $95bn bill for security assistance to US allies Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Greene is a leading voice of the far-right flank opposed to helping Ukraine.
The same procedure was used in October when McCarthy was removed as Speaker, marking the first time in US history that the House voted to remove its leader.
Republicans have a slim majority in the House and Johnson's leadership was seen as crucial for maintaining party unity. Democrats, led by Representative Hakeem Jeffries, had promised to keep Johnson in his seat.
Greene's move represented a rare Republican defiance of presumptive presidential candidate Donald Trump, who had urged Republicans to support Johnson.
Some Republicans expressed concern that Greene's actions could lead to disciplinary action against her for showing disunity within the party.
The New York Post reported that Rupert Murdoch's media empire, which includes Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, not-so-subtly backed Johnson during Greene's attempt to oust him. The media outlets voiced support for Johnson and leveled scathing attacks on Greene.
