House Speaker Mike Johnson has issued a stark warning to his fellow Republicans: the GOP’s majority in the House of Representatives could be at risk as President Donald Trump fills key cabinet positions with Republican lawmakers. With a slim majority of just over 218 seats, Republicans are projected to maintain control of the House, but the ongoing poaching of members for Trump’s administration has raised serious concerns about the party’s ability to hold that majority.
While Republicans secured the 218 seats needed to control the House, the margin is tight, and with several races still undecided, the threat of losing seats to cabinet appointments remains real. Speaker Johnson expressed his frustration during an interview with Fox News, describing the situation as a “great problem to have,” referring to the abundance of talented, America First-minded Republicans in the House who could serve the country in other roles. However, he urged the president to ease up on further cabinet picks, emphasizing the importance of holding onto the House majority.
“We need to maintain this majority, and I’ve made it clear to President Trump — enough already,” Johnson said, adding that he and Trump have been in constant communication about the need to protect the Republican hold on Congress.
As of now, at least three sitting Republican lawmakers have been nominated for positions in Trump’s cabinet. Florida Rep. Mike Waltz has been selected as national security adviser, and Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York has been tapped as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Additionally, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has been nominated to serve as attorney general, and despite needing Senate confirmation, Gaetz has already resigned from his seat, creating an immediate vacancy.
Other Republicans, including North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, are rumored to be in consideration for the position of secretary of Education, further complicating the GOP’s position. With each departure, a special election will be required to fill the vacancy, but these elections could take months, delaying legislative action and giving Democrats the opportunity to chip away at the Republican majority.
Speaker Johnson expressed concern that even a single lost vote could have a major impact on the functioning of the House, particularly in a closely divided chamber. “Every single vote counts,” he warned, pointing out that health issues, accidents, or travel delays could tip the balance in crucial votes. “It’s just a numbers game, and we need to keep that in mind.”
Though Republicans are projected to hold between 220 and 222 seats in the House, Johnson’s warning underscores the precariousness of their position. While Republicans also secured a majority in the Senate, their inability to break a filibuster without a supermajority further underscores the narrow margin through which they will need to govern.
For Republicans, the stakes are high. Ensuring the party’s legislative agenda moves forward will depend on both maintaining the House majority and filling vacancies quickly. If they don’t act fast, Democrats could gain ground, especially in swing districts, and potentially reclaim control of the House.
As the party navigates this delicate balance, the leadership will need to find a way to manage Trump’s cabinet picks while holding onto the slim majority that could determine the success or failure of the Republican agenda.