The speaker replaced a Republican who had criticized the president-elect and broken with him on key issues, and who had drawn the ire and suspicion of those close to the president-elect.
Representative Michael R. Turner, Republican of Ohio, had at times been critical of the president-elect. He told people that he was axed after an edict from Mar-a-Lago.
President-elect Donald J. Trump had complained that flags were scheduled to fly at half-staff β a symbol of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter β on the day of his inauguration.
Only one Republican representative has confirmed that he will oppose Mike Johnsonβs return as House speaker, but a few other conservatives have remained undecided.
Speaker Mike Johnson narrowly avoided a painful and prolonged fight to keep his post, but his messy victory showed how difficult his job will be in the new all-Republican Congress.
Mike Johnson persuaded enough holdouts on the right to keep his post, but the vote reflected the steep challenge he faces in governing a slim and fractious majority.
The Florida Republican, who resigned his House seat during his short-lived bid for attorney general, has publicly flirted with the idea of showing up in Congress on Friday.
The House must choose a speaker before it can swear in new members and certify Donald J. Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election. Last time, it took four days and 15 votes.
The question of whether the president-elect would back the speaker for another term has hung over Republicans, especially after recent tensions. But the endorsement does not lock up the job for Mr. Johnson.