Republicans nominate Mike Johnson for House speaker after Tom Emmer’s withdrawal

Republican Mike Johnson (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)

Republicans chose Mike Johnson as their latest nominee for House speaker late on Tuesday, hours after an earlier pick, Tom Emmer, abruptly withdrew in the face of opposition from Donald Trump and hardline Republicans.

Mr Johnson of Louisiana, a lower-ranked member of the House Republican leadership team, becomes the fourth nominee after Mr Emmer and the others fell short in what has become an almost absurd cycle of political infighting since Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as party factions jockey for power.