Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was in New York for a variety of activities when he contacted former President Donald Trump to advise him that he would be at the Manhattan courthouse the next morning for Trump’s criminal trial.
According to a source close to the speaker, Johnson made the decision and called Trump directly. According to multiple sources, he was in President Trump’s motorcade on Tuesday morning.
“I came here… today on my own to support President Trump because I am one of hundreds of millions of people and one citizen who is deeply concerned about this, so I’m glad to be here,” he told reporters afterwards.
Johnson was the highest-ranking federal lawmaker to attend Trump’s criminal proceedings.
