House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that Democrats would move to impeach President Donald Trump almost immediately if they reclaim the House in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
“It’s guaranteed, probably on the first day – first or second day,” Johnson said in an Oct. 6 interview with conservative commentator Scott Jennings. “Remember, they’ve already filed articles of impeachment in this Congress. And they’re raring to go.”
Polls show Democrats gaining
Johnson urged Republican voters to turn out despite polls showing Democrats with a growing advantage. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Oct. 5 found Democrats leading Republicans by 7 percentage points on the generic congressional ballot; a Cygnal poll published Oct. 7 put the Democratic advantage at 9 points.
Still, Johnson said he remains confident Republicans can hold their narrow majority: “Let’s just paint this alternative world, OK. Cause I’m convinced, Scott, we can hold this majority.”
Johnson acknowledges possible defeat
In a separate Fox News interview, Johnson publicly acknowledged the possibility of defeat, saying he does not know whether he will remain in politics if Republicans lose the House: “Heaven forbid, if we lose this majority or whatever, I don’t know what my next chapter of life is.” He added that a loss would be because “the people were misled.”
The remarks come as voters in several states are already heading to the polls for early voting. All 435 House seats are on the ballot Nov. 3, along with 34 Senate seats and 36 governorships. Democrats need a net gain of three seats to retake the House; Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate.
The same Reuters/Ipsos polling found 65% of U.S. adults disapprove of Trump’s second-term performance, with rising prices and the Iran war weighing as Americans assess Republican control of Congress and the White House.
Sources: USA Today; Reuters; Courier-Journal
