‘We Can Take You Down’: CNN’s Tapper Says House GOP Defectors Sent Mike Johnson a Clear Message

CNN anchor Jake Tapper reacted to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) being reelected to his position on Friday after a dramatic vote by noting that the GOP defectors sent a message.

“I just want to put up the flag in this moment, because these nine individuals made it clear to Speaker Johnson, we can take you down,” Tapper said, referring to those House Republicans who initially did not vote for Johnson or voted for someone else.

All but one of those members, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), eventually changed their votes to give Johnson a majority to win the speakership again.

CNN contributor Kristen Soltis Anderson agreed with Tapper, saying, “They sent a message and the math does not get better from here. Note that there were at least two names that were mentioned who who voted today, who will likely not be part of the House of Representatives in just a couple of weeks.”

“Stefanik and Walz,” noted Tapper of two House Republicans joining the Trump administration.

“Because they have been nominated to important positions by Donald Trump. So this is just the beginning. If this is supposed to be the easiest vote, it does not get easier from here,” concluded Soltis Anderson.

The discussion then turned to the House clerk as he officially announced Johnson’s reelection as speaker:

The tellers agree in their tallies that the total number of votes cast is 434, of which the Honorable Mike Johnson of the state of Louisiana has received 218. The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries of the State of New York has received 215. And the Honorable Tom Emmer of the state of Minnesota has received one. Therefore, the Honorable Mike Johnson of the state of Louisiana, having received a majority of the votes cast, is duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress.

Watch the clip above via CNN.