Bannon and Navarro’s Concerns with Speaker Mike Johnson

Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro voiced their frustrations with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday’s WarRoom, calling his leadership weak and unaligned with their vision for America under a future Trump presidency. In a recent War Room conversation, the two highlighted specific shortcomings in Johnson’s approach and warned of political risks ahead without a stronger commitment to Trump’s policies.

Johnson as Part of the "Establishment Cartel”

Bannon criticized Johnson as part of what he and others term the "cartel”—a network of GOP leaders and lobbyists driven by corporate donors rather than the people. The term reflects Bannon’s ongoing disdain for what he views as a Republican establishment disconnected from Trump’s America First agenda. According to Bannon, Johnson’s allegiance to these outside interests holds him back from advancing Trump-aligned reforms, especially when it comes to critical issues like border security, economic revitalization, and curbing government spending.

Weak on Budget Negotiations and Debt Ceiling Challenges

Navarro and Bannon stressed that Johnson’s lack of commitment to their fiscal priorities risks compromising Trump’s potential second term. They noted that the government faces a looming deadline on the national debt ceiling, with February marked as a likely showdown. Both Bannon and Navarro argued Johnson should refuse any "omnibus” spending bill that might tie the next administration’s hands. The two warned that a poorly managed debt ceiling could push Trump into a corner with economic repercussions similar to the "stagflation” period under President Reagan.

Failure to Support Key Trump Policies

Bannon and Navarro expressed disappointment over Johnson’s perceived lack of action on core Trump policies. From stricter immigration control to economic nationalism, the two argued that Johnson has done little to dismantle Biden-era initiatives or enact conservative reforms. Navarro especially emphasized the importance of having Trump-approved personnel ready to handle executive orders in areas like deportations and trade, underscoring Johnson’s weak support for these initiatives.

Critical of Performative Politics

Bannon and Navarro accused Johnson of engaging in "performative” rather than substantive actions. In their view, Johnson’s support appears more superficial, designed for media headlines rather than concrete policy changes. This criticism centers on Johnson’s interactions with Trump supporters, with Bannon describing photo ops as disingenuous. He argued Johnson’s efforts are cosmetic and do not reflect a real dedication to advancing Trump’s agenda on Capitol Hill.

The Importance of the Justice Department’s Role

Navarro highlighted the importance of appointing the right leaders in the Justice Department, including a Trump-aligned Attorney General and Office of Legal Counsel. This would ensure the legal support needed for Trump’s proposed policies, from immigration restrictions to trade deals. The two pointed to the Justice Department’s impact on everything from military contracts to economic strategy, reiterating that if Johnson’s leadership fails to align with Trump, these reforms could face significant legal obstacles.

Frustration over Lack of Support for Trump Allies

Both Bannon and Navarro pointed out that Johnson has not done enough to support Trump allies facing legal challenges from their involvement in the 2020 election and January 6 issues. The failure to dismantle investigations they view as politically motivated, such as those against Trump, Eastman, and others, is seen as an unwillingness to challenge the establishment’s hold on the legal system. Bannon and Navarro insist that Johnson’s hesitance reflects a broader reluctance among House Republicans to support Trump fully.

Trump’s Influence and Path Forward

Despite their criticisms, Bannon and Navarro emphasized their loyalty to Trump’s vision. They outlined a strategic plan for "100 actions in 100 days,” a reference to the upcoming "New MAGA Deal,” which would cover economic, social, and foreign policy shifts under a new Trump term. However, they cautioned that such reforms are possible only if Trump has full support from Congress—something they feel Johnson has yet to demonstrate. For Bannon and Navarro, Trump’s second term hinges on House leadership breaking away from the "cartel” and truly advancing the America First agenda.

For more context, watch this Wednesday’s segment about Mike Johnson: 

Steve Bannon On Senate Majority Vote Being Used To Chop Block Trump’s Agenda: McConnell Is Out, The People Have Rendered Their Verdict. We Don’t Want Old Republicans Ways. pic.twitter.com/CveJym4wp4

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) November 13, 2024

Bannon On Mike Johnson: “We Don’t Think He’s A Great Speaker. We Think He’s Done A Terrible Job.”