House Majority Leader Steve Scalise officially threw his support behind Donald Trump for president Tuesday, making the Louisiana Republican one of the highest-ranking members to endorse the former president.
“I am proud to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2024, and I look forward to working with President Trump and a Republican House and Senate to fight for those families who are struggling under the weight of Biden’s failed policies,” Mr. Scalise posted on social media.
Mr. Trump responded to the endorsement on his social media site Truth Social: “Thank you Steve, it is a great honor to have your wonderful Endorsement. I will not let you, or our Country, down!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, also a Louisiana Republican, endorsed Mr. Trump in November, something that predecessor Kevin McCarthy didn’t do before being ousted as speaker.
Mr. Johnson said at the time that he backed Mr. Trump “wholeheartedly” and that he was “all in for President Trump.”
House Republican Conference leader Elise Stefanik of New York also has endorsed Mr. Trump.
No other GOP presidential candidate is near Mr. Trump when it comes to the number of endorsements from members of Congress. Nearly 100 House Republicans and at least 18 GOP senators have backed him.
The Democratic National Committee responded by saying Republicans have “turned the House into little more than an arm of Donald Trump’s campaign.”
”Scalise’s endorsement is the latest proof that while the House GOP is unable to accomplish anything on behalf of the American people, they are laser-focused on advancing Trump’s MAGA agenda and ripping away freedoms,” said DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Minnesota Republican, has not endorsed Mr. Trump. The ex-president reportedly was not supportive of Mr. Emmer’s short-lived bid to become speaker in October after Mr. McCarthy was removed.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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