Rep. Elise Stefanik has publicly stated that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) would not secure enough votes to retain his position if a snap election were called today. In a revealing interview with the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Stefanik, a prominent New York congresswoman and ally of former President Donald Trump, described Johnson as an "ineffective leader" who is failing to maintain his grip on the Republican Party.

"He certainly wouldn’t have the votes to be speaker if there was a roll-call vote tomorrow," Stefanik asserted during the interview. "I believe that the majority of Republicans would vote for new leadership. It’s that widespread."

Johnson, who succeeded former Rep. Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House in 2023, has previously secured his position through a challenging and historic series of votes, and later won re-election earlier this year with strong party support.

However, this isn't the first instance where Stefanik has voiced her dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership. Earlier this week, she accused the Speaker of obstructing amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act intended to ensure Congress is notified when the FBI starts investigating federal candidates. Stefanik expressed her frustration in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Johnson of being manipulated by House Democrats to block her proposed provisions.

Despite these tensions, President Trump, known for his influence over the party's internal dynamics, has so far managed to mediate between the conflicting parties, maintaining a degree of unity within the GOP. Stefanik, however, highlighted in a discussion with Politico's Playbook that there is a stark contrast in popularity between Trump and Johnson among Republican voters, suggesting a brewing leadership crisis.

As the Republican discord unfolds, Democrats are observing the situation with apparent amusement. A recent memo from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) playfully noted the escalating feud within the GOP, illustrating the potential vulnerabilities such infighting could expose ahead of upcoming electoral challenges.

The ongoing strife between Stefanik and Johnson underscores a significant rift within the Republican Party, as it grapples with leadership and direction issues. This internal battle could have broader implications for the party's strategy and cohesion leading into future national elections.