House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to avoid the same fate that his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, experienced two years ago: an embarrassing, drawn-out floor fight for the speaker’s gavel.A small band of right-wing rabble-rousers is threatening to derail Johnson’s bid Friday to retain the speakership.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said there is no time for Republicans to engage in “palace drama” ahead of Friday’s speakership vote, in which he aims to retain the gavel going into the 119th Congress.

Mike Johnson is fighting for his political life, again. The Louisiana Republican’s hold on the House speaker's gavel and his position as second in line to the presidency will be tested Friday when a new Congress convenes.