"Political Turmoil: Mike Johnson Emerges as GOP Speaker Nominee Amidst Struggle for Unity"

In a day marked by political upheaval, the House GOP has chosen Representative Mike Johnson as their latest nominee for speaker, though he currently falls short of the necessary 217 votes required to secure the position. This development underscores the ongoing challenge faced by Republicans in electing a new speaker, a struggle that persists three weeks after the historic removal of Kevin McCarthy.

The tumultuous day began with the election of Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer as the speaker nominee, only for Emmer to withdraw just hours later due to staunch resistance from the party's right flank and a significant rebuke from former President Donald Trump. In the final round of secret-ballot voting, Mike Johnson secured the speaker nominee position with 128 votes, while McCarthy received 43 votes, leading some House Republicans to attribute Johnson's challenges to the actions of the California Republican.

Amidst the deadlock, there were discussions of a potential McCarthy and Jim Jordan tag team, with McCarthy returning as speaker and appointing Jordan as "assistant speaker." However, in a positive turn for Johnson, he survived a key follow-up vote late Tuesday evening, announcing that the full House would vote on a speaker at noon ET on Wednesday.

The GOP is facing increasing pressure to find a new leader, as the House remains paralyzed without a speaker. The party has struggled to unite around a successor to McCarthy, and even the prospect of Jordan as a nominee was thwarted after three unsuccessful rounds on the House floor.

Tom Emmer's exit from the race marks the third instance of a Republican winning the party's nomination only to step down due to an inability to secure the necessary votes. Former President Trump's influence in the matter became evident as he labeled Emmer a "Globalist RINO" on Truth Social, emphasizing that supporting him would be a "tragic mistake." Trump later claimed to have a "big impact" following Emmer's withdrawal.

As the GOP grapples with internal divisions and a leadership vacuum, the path to securing a new speaker remains unclear, plunging the House into uncharted territory and raising questions about the party's ability to govern effectively.

"Divisions Deepen: GOP Struggles with Speaker Nomination as Emmer Faces Opposition"

The internal strife within the GOP reached a new level as Representative Tom Emmer faced significant backlash for his previous votes, including certification of the 2020 election and support for issues such as keeping the government open, avoiding a debt default, and codifying same-sex marriage. These stances, considered moderate by hard-right members, became focal points of contention for those opposing Emmer's bid for speaker.

Trump's influence in the matter was palpable as members of his team reportedly contacted GOP members, urging them to reject Emmer's candidacy. Despite a seemingly amicable phone call with the former president over the weekend, Trump took to Truth Social to repost attacks against Emmer on Monday night and followed up with his own criticism after Emmer secured the nomination.

Even after Emmer's withdrawal from the race, Representative Steve Womack of Arkansas expressed concern, stating that the GOP is currently at an "impasse." He conveyed uncertainty about the party's ability to overcome internal differences and find a resolution to the speaker nomination deadlock. Womack noted that the apparent division within the GOP is becoming increasingly evident to the American people.

As the GOP grapples with these internal challenges, the road to finding a new speaker remains uncertain, reflecting the deep-seated divisions within the party. The evolving situation raises questions about the party's cohesion and its ability to present a unified front to address critical leadership issues. CNN's Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer, and Laura Dolan have contributed to the ongoing coverage of these developments.

In conclusion, the GOP's internal struggles over the nomination of a new speaker have intensified with Representative Tom Emmer facing significant opposition for his past votes and perceived moderate positions on key issues. The influence of former President Trump in mobilizing opposition to Emmer's candidacy further highlights the deep-seated divisions within the party.

Despite a seemingly positive phone call between Emmer and Trump over the weekend, the former president's public criticisms on Truth Social, both before and after Emmer's nomination, underscore the challenges of party unity. Emmer's subsequent withdrawal from the race has left the GOP in a state of uncertainty, with Representative Steve Womack characterizing the situation as an "impasse."

Womack's acknowledgment that the GOP conference appears "hopelessly divided" raises concerns about the party's ability to overcome internal differences and effectively nominate a new speaker. The evolving narrative suggests that the GOP is navigating uncharted territory, and the signs point to a formidable impasse that could impact the party's ability to present a cohesive front.

As the story develops, questions persist about the future direction of the GOP, the resolution of internal conflicts, and the implications for effective leadership within the party. CNN's continued coverage by Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer, and Laura Dolan reflects the ongoing complexities of this unfolding political drama.