DORAL, FLORIDA — Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday celebrated President Donald Trump’s weekend trade war threat against Colombia, adding there will be “no daylight” between Congress and Trump on his use of economic sanctions to force countries to repatriate nationals who immigrated illegally into the U.S.
Speaking to reporters at the House GOP retreat at Trump’s Miami-area resort, Johnson also quickly downplayed the economic backlash and potentially higher prices of goods for Americans as a result of any trade wars.
The speaker said he doesn’t think any future Trump tariffs will hit “whole countries or whole industries” as “across the board” levies — even as Trump is threatening 25 percent tariffs against Canada and Mexico beginning Feb. 1.
“I don’t believe that will happen,” Johnson said.
In the same press conference, the speaker backed conditioning California’s wildfire aid on policy changes in the state, calling it “a common sense notion that is supported by the vast majority of the American people.”
Johnson also demurred when asked about Trump’s suggestion that the California aid should be tied to forcing the state to implement voter ID requirements. He said he hadn’t spoken with the president about the topic, and added that they still have to “work out the details.” Trump is expected to speak to the conference at 5 p.m. Monday.
Johnson also shrugged off Trump’s weekend purge of more than a dozen inspectors general. Johnson said it was up to Trump to make those decisions, despite current law dictating that the president must give Congress 30 days’ notice, including a “substantive rationale,” before dismissing agency watchdogs. Johnson added his understanding is new people will fill the positions.
“Sometimes you need a fresh look,” Johnson told reporters when asked about the firings.
Johnson said his goal is still to get a budget resolution out of both chambers by late-February for the massive reconciliation package he’s trying to advance. Republicans have run into myriad problems as they try to assemble their border, energy and taxes bill.
“It’s a big decision to be made here in the next few days, and we will align with the Senate, and our colleagues there, and we will move forward on that agenda — the reconciliation process, the appropriations that we have to wrap up, and the other issues,” he said.
Mia McCarthy contributed to this report.
