A little over two months have passed since Mike Johnson, Republican leader of the House, appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the headline: The Survivor. It was a recognition of his consolidation of a tricky role through a courtly manner and syrupy speaking style that belie a ruthlessness and an unyielding Christian conservatism.
Unlike his leader, the Louisianan had no problem with the cover, which depicted him in an autumnal gold, bespectacled and groomed and wearing an expression that falls somewhere between combative and unctuous. Since his lightning ascent to the role three years ago, Johnson has been an adroit Trump loyalist. But the waters are turning choppy.
On Monday, Johnson found himself as explainer-in-chief to all sides. First, he had to contend with growing frustration from within sections of the party as the government shutdown reached its 20th day. Marjorie Taylor Green, the Georgia firebrand, has emerged as one of the few Republicans willing to break
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