Johnson Warns of Trump’s 2026 Ballot Presence as GOP Faces Democratic Challenge
Tennessee Democratic Representative Justin Pearson of Memphis, Tennessee, speaks during the last day of the special legislative session focused on the universal school voucher program, Hurricane Helene relief, and immigration reforms supporting U.S. President Donald Trump's policies at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., January 30, 2025. REUTERS/Seth Herald
By Charlie McCarthy | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 01:50 PM EST
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that President Donald Trump will be “on the ballot” in next year’s midterm elections, asserting that Republicans cannot afford to lose their House and Senate majorities. During a press conference outside the Capitol, Johnson warned that Democrats aim to “end the Trump administration” if they regain power.
Johnson linked the GOP’s 2026 prospects directly to the survival of Trump’s second-term agenda, citing recent Democratic victories in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City as signs of a hard-left shift. “President Trump is on the ballot next fall because if we lose the majority… we’ve already seen that movie,” Johnson stated. He predicted Democrats would “move to impeach [Trump] probably on the first day of the new Congress in January 2027” and “systematically unwind all the important reforms.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise framed the midterms as a clash between Trump’s “delivering results” and Democratic “embrace of socialism,” while House Majority Whip Tom Emmer criticized Democrats for prolonging the government shutdown. Emmer highlighted Trump’s achievements, including “the largest middle-class tax cut in history” and “record lows” for illegal border crossings.
Rep. Lisa McClain, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, expressed optimism about the GOP’s trajectory, noting Republicans’ efforts to secure borders and deliver historic tax cuts. Johnson concluded that the path forward is clear: “President Trump is on the ballot in 2026. We’re ready for that contest — and ready to win.”
