Mike Johnson’s efforts to keep Donald Trump happy are leaving rank-and-file Republicans unhappy with his obsequiousness

Just over two years after House Republicans elevated Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson from backbench obscurity to national notoriety by electing him Speaker of the House of Representatives, the former right-wing litigator is in deep water with his own conference because of his desire to placate Donald Trump at all costs.

The Atlantic chronicled Johnson’s troubles in a recent report that digs into the House GOP’s dissatisfaction with Johnson, who last week had to declare that he had “not lost control” of his chamber to reporters who questioned him on the unprecedented use of previously-rare parliamentary maneuvers to bypass his authority and bring up bipartisan bills for a vote on the House floor.

Johnson’s once iron grip on the House floor schedule and his desire to never, ever permit anything to happen that would displease Trump have left members feeling powerless while serving in what is supposed to be the most powerful chamber in the most powerful branch of government — the legislative branch.