Speaker Johnson Stabs Trump In The Back

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In a move that has sparked outrage among conservatives, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) canceled a pivotal vote that would have made permanent a Trump-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plan to slash $9.3 billion in wasteful federal spending.

The decision, announced on May 7, 2025, not only derails a critical step toward fiscal responsibility but also raises serious questions about Johnson’s commitment to the conservative values of limited government and accountability to the American taxpayer. For a party that campaigned on reining in government overreach, Johnson’s actions represent a betrayal of the GOP base and a capitulation to the Washington establishment.

The DOGE initiative, spearheaded by President Donald J. Trump and led by Elon Musk, was designed to tackle the bloated federal bureaucracy head-on. It targeted $8.3 billion in funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency long criticized as a “globalist slush fund.”

According to a February 2025 fact sheet from The White House, USAID has been implicated in funding questionable projects, such as poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, which do little to advance U.S. interests. An additional $1.1 billion was slated to be cut from NPR and PBS, public broadcasters that conservatives argue have consistently pushed a leftwing agenda under the guise of neutrality—a charge echoed by Trump himself when he signed an executive order to defund them on May 6, 2025, as reported by The Guardian.

These cuts were not merely symbolic; they were a necessary step toward addressing the nation’s spiraling debt crisis, which continues to burden future generations.

Yet, instead of allowing the vote to proceed, Johnson abruptly canceled it, reportedly opting for a four-day vacation while the nation grapples with its financial future. This move has drawn sharp criticism from conservative activists and grassroots supporters who see it as a direct affront to the GOP’s stated mission. An X post from user @Honesttruthman on May 7, 2025, captured the sentiment of many in the conservative base: “Johnson is not MAGA! He should’ve been vacated a year ago!” The frustration is palpable, and for good reason—Johnson’s decision undermines the very principles that Republicans were elected to uphold.

This is not the first instance of Johnson buckling under pressure. As reported by Axios in April 2025, a group of swing-district and centrist House Republicans warned Johnson against pursuing deep Medicaid cuts demanded by the Freedom Caucus, highlighting his tendency to prioritize moderate voices over the conservative wing of the party.

His cancellation of the DOGE vote further cements this pattern of behavior, revealing a leader more concerned with political expediency than with advancing the fiscal reforms conservatives have long championed. While internal divisions within the GOP are well-documented, leadership demands the courage to stand firm on principle, even in the face of opposition. Johnson’s failure to do so calls into question his suitability as Speaker.

The DOGE plan represented a rare opportunity to deliver on one of the GOP’s core promises: reducing government waste. According to The White House, DOGE identified billions in waste, fraud, and abuse across federal agencies, offering a blueprint for a leaner, more efficient government. By canceling the vote, Johnson has effectively stalled this progress, allowing taxpayer dollars to continue funding programs and agencies that many conservatives view as antithetical to American interests.

The $8.3 billion allocated to USAID, for instance, could be better spent on domestic priorities like infrastructure or border security—issues that resonate deeply with the Republican base. Similarly, the $1.1 billion for NPR and PBS could be redirected to support small businesses or veterans’ services, rather than subsidizing what many conservatives see as progressive propaganda.

The financial implications of Johnson’s inaction are significant. While $9.3 billion may seem like a small fraction of the federal budget, it represents a crucial step toward fiscal sanity in a nation grappling with trillions in debt. Every dollar wasted on USAID’s globalist projects or NPR’s biased programming is a dollar that could be returned to the American people or invested in strengthening the economy.

Johnson’s decision perpetuates a cycle of reckless spending that conservatives have spent decades fighting to end, leaving many in the party questioning whether he truly represents their values.

For a Republican Party that swept into power on promises of fiscal responsibility and an America First agenda, Johnson’s cancellation of the DOGE vote is a stark betrayal. It sends a message to the conservative electorate that their priorities—reining in government spending, dismantling the administrative state, and putting American taxpayers first—can be sidelined at the whim of a Speaker who lacks the resolve to lead.

The GOP base entrusted its leaders with a mandate to fight the Washington swamp, not to capitulate to it. Johnson’s actions have eroded that trust, leaving many to wonder whether he is the right person to steer the party forward.

Conservatives deserve a Speaker who will unapologetically champion their principles, even when the political winds blow against them. President Trump has consistently demonstrated such leadership, weathering relentless attacks to advance the MAGA agenda. Johnson, by contrast, has shown a troubling willingness to fold at critical moments.

If the GOP hopes to maintain its credibility on fiscal issues, it must hold its leaders accountable. Johnson’s cancellation of the DOGE vote is a failure of leadership that cannot be ignored. The party must now decide whether to rally behind a Speaker who prioritizes the establishment over the base—or to demand new leadership that will fight for the conservative vision of a smaller, more accountable government.