Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said there "ought to be repercussions" for anyone who leaked information related to the unreleased Ethics Committee probe into former Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) conduct.

Why it matters: The leaks, which have allegedly been traced to the panel's ranking member, Susan Wild (D-Pa.), could set a dangerous precedent if left unpunished, Johnson told Axios Tuesday

• "In my opinion, there ought to be repercussions for that," Johnson said in a hallway interview. "We can't set that as a precedent. It's dangerous."
• Johnson said he had not discussed the prospect of disciplinary action with House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and did not elaborate on what he thought might be appropriate.

The latest: Guest told Axios later Tuesday that he hasn't spoken to Johnson for "a couple of weeks" but would be "happy to" discuss the situation allegedly involving Wild.

• But with Wild's pending departure from Congress in January, Guest said lawmakers "would be limited on anything that could possibly be done within the Ethics environment."
• Another House Republican close to GOP leadership told Axios they doubt there is time for any repercussions to occur.

Driving the news: Citing anonymous sources,The Hill newspaper reported Monday that Wild was absent from the panel's meeting Thursday after being traced as the source of press leaks regarding the Gaetz investigation.

• Whether she skipped the gathering of her own accord remained unclear, according to the outlet, which cited two sources saying Wild ultimately acknowledged to the panel that she had leaked information.
• Wild's office declined to comment, though her chief of staff denied The Hill's reporting that leaks were the reason for her absence from last week's Ethics Committee meeting.
• The committee was investigating Gaetz for a litany of allegations including sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, all of which he denies.

The big picture: Amid a dispute over whether releasing a report dealing with the actions of a former member would break precedent, the Ethics panel deadlocked in November, thus keeping the Gaetz report under wraps.

• The full House last week beat back a Democratic effort to make the report public.
• Gaetz resigned his House seat when President-elect Trump tapped him as his attorney general nominee before later withdrawing himself from consideration.
• Johnson came out against the report's release following Gaetz's resignation.

What they're saying: Gaetz took a public jab at Wild, tweeting late Monday that she, "leaked false allegations about me which were so unfounded that they were rejected by the Biden DOJ."

• Gaetz's attorneys said last year they'd been informed that the Justice Department would not bring charges against the lawmaker over sex trafficking allegations.
• Moderate GOP lawmakers have asserted that if Gaetz — who is set to start hosting a show on One America News network — snags a different senior role in Trump's administration, they could force another vote to release Ethics' findings.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson are staring each other down over a bill aimed at curbing antisemitism, we have learned.

Why it matters: Schumer promised Jewish leaders earlier this year that he would try to pass the bill this Congress. Now he's shifting blame to Johnson if Congress doesn't act.

• Schumer wants the Antisemitism Awareness Act — aimed at college campuses — attached to one of the year-end packages that must pass Congress, like the National Defense Authorization Act.
• But Johnson wants Schumer to put the bill on the Senate floor by itself, according to sources.

"We are trying to get them to do it," Schumer told Axios, referring to the House.

• "I have offered several times to get it in either the NDAA or the appropriations bill," he said.
• "Republicans are clearly feeling the pressure to get this done via the NDAA, which Sen. Schumer has long said is the best and fastest way," said a Schumer spokesperson. "The Republican leadership won't take yes for an answer."

Driving the news: With his narrow majority, Johnson has indicated to allies that attaching too many unrelated items to the National Defense Authorization Act could imperil its passage.

• House Republicans are trying to make it easier for Johnson to include it by suggesting he also attach legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court, according to people familiar with the matter.
• That sanctions bill previously passed the House 247-155 with 42 pro-Israel Democrats voting in its favor.

Zoom out: The antisemitism legislation also overwhelmingly passed the House in the summer, but it has divided Democrats.

• If it isn't passed this year, Republicans are eager to act on it in 2025, when they'll have the Senate majority.
• That would force Senate Democrats to potentially take a difficult vote next year.

The bottom line: With limited time left on the calendar — and his priority set on confirming judges — Schumer is unlikely to put the antisemitism bill on the Senate floor on its own.

The House voted Thursday to beat back a Democratic effort to make public a potentially scathing ethics report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) conduct.

Why it matters: The 206-198 vote came shortly after Ethics Committee members met behind closed doors on the matter. Republicans on the panel last month blocked the findings pertaining to Gaetz from becoming public.

• Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) forced a vote on the matter, which the House voted to refer back to the Ethics panel.
• A sizable number of lawmakers have called for the report's release, even after Gaetz resigned his House seat when President-elect Trump tapped him as his attorney general nominee.
• Gaetz later withdrew himself from consideration.

Catch up quick: There has been a dispute over whether releasing a report dealing with the actions of a former member would break precedent, with some conservative members advocating for a wide range of sealed ethics reports to become public if Gaetz's does.

• The panel deadlocked in November on whether to release its report, thus keeping it under wraps.
• The panel was investigating Gaetz for a litany of allegations including sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, all of which he denies.
• Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) came out against the report's release following Gaetz's resignation.

What's next: While Gaetz is no longer in Congress, he is widely expected to run for Florida governor in 2026.

Go deeper: Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year

Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth asked House conservatives on Wednesday to publicly back his confirmation, sources in the room told Axios.

Why it matters: Hegseth's request for conservatives to publicly back him comes as his nomination appears on shakier ground, with multiple GOP senators sharing concerns about misconduct allegations.

• The former Fox News host indicated to Republican Study Committee members that President-elect Trump remains fully behind him.
• "Someone asked how we can help from the House and he said to talk about how President Trump won overwhelmingly, this is a mandate from the people. He would appreciate any public support from members," one source in the room said.
• Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) attended the meeting alongside members of the conservative House caucus.

Inside the room: Hegseth — who attended the meeting for roughly 30 minutes — argued that "Trump told him when he picked him- he's tough, he's aggressive, he's gonna kick the doors in" and made the case the allegations against him are unsubstantiated, sources told Axios.

• Mullin took to the mics to praise Hegseth during the meeting, telling the room "Trump is 100% behind Pete and that Pete and his wife are handling the onslaught well," and alleging "this is an assault on your [Hegseth's] family."

The intrigue: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has emerged as a potential alternative for the position, sparking speculation Hegseth's nomination might be short-lived.

• Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told reporters on Wednesday his meeting with Hegseth, which was scheduled for Thursday, was cancelled — sparking further speculation Hegseth could be replaced.
• But Mullin dismissed the notion the cancelation is an ominous sign for his confirmation odds. He told reporters "It means nothing. I've had, I've had several people have to cancel meetings rescheduled," adding that "the window is tight but he can get through it."

The big picture: Hegseth can only lose three GOP senators, as no Democrats are expected to support him on the floor.

Go deeper: DOD pick Hegseth says he still has Trump's support in face of "smear" campaign

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is on the hunt to find a new leader for his outside super PAC, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: As outgoing president of the Congressional Leadership Fund, Dan Conston essentially runs a $200+ million company that needs to develop and execute a new business plan every two years.

• It's one of the top political jobs in Washington, but not an easy one.
• Candidates, consultants, and donors all have to be kept happy. Billionaires write the group big checks at exclusive retreats, but they also want some assurances that it's being well spent.
• Its leader must make strategic and tactical decisions on where to invest its resources with a simple goal in mind: Win more seats than the Democrats.

Driving the news: Johnson's team is considering several candidates to replace Conston, according to people familiar with the matter.

• Conston, who was installed at CLF by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, considering starting a new strategic consulting firm with other operatives in McCarthy's orbit. His exit was reported Monday by Politico.
• Conston could also stay on at CLF for a cycle as an adviser or a consultant.
• Conston and CLF declined to comment.

Zoom in: Johnson, who looks like he'll start this Congress down two seats from where Republicans began in 2023, will lean on CLF to provide air support for his incumbents, many of whom were outspent by Democrats in the 2024 cycle.

• Johnson will rely on Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) to run the National Republican Congressional Committee for another cycle.

Conston helped McCarthy come within a whisker of the House majority in 2020, picking up 13 seats in an election where President Trump lost both the popular and Electoral College vote.

• In 2022, Conston and McCarthy got across the line and picked up nine seats.
• In 2024, CLF, working with Johnson, appears to be on track to lose two seats but maintain the majority.

Zoom out: Super PACs, which can accept unlimited amount of "soft money," are growing more important in congressional and presidential races.

• CLF raised $232 million this cycle through mid-October, according to the FEC. That was slightly more than the $228 million raised by the NRCC.

Congressional Republicans reacted with swift fury on Sunday after President Biden announced a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden.

Why it matters: Hunter was a central figure in GOP probes, with House Republicans basing their impeachment inquiry into the president in large part on his son's business dealings.

• At issue for many Republicans is Biden's previous statement that he would not pardon Hunter or grant him a commutation.

What they're saying: "Joe Biden has lied from start to finish about his family's corrupt influence peddling activities," said House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), who led the impeachment inquiry.

• Comer added: "It's unfortunate that, rather than come clean about their decades of wrongdoing, President Biden and his family continue to do everything they can to avoid accountability."
• "I've seen unseemly pardons since Bill Clinton. This fits that category," said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a swing-district centrist.
• "Biden just cemented his legacy as one of our very worst presidents," Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) said in a post on X.

State of play: Biden said in a statement on Sunday that "no reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter's cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son."

• Hunter was convicted on felony gun charges and pleaded guilty to felony tax charges.
• "He clearly was in desperate need of a pardon," said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas).

Zoom in: Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), another impeachment leader, argued that the pardon validates the GOP probe.

• "Democrats said there was nothing to our impeachment inquiry. If that's the case, why did Joe Biden just issue Hunter Biden a pardon for the very things we were inquiring about?" he posted on X.

The other side: Former Obama White House counsel Neil Eggleston told NBC News, "If I were his White House counsel, I would encourage him to pardon his son."

• "The clemency power has few limitations and certainly would extend to a Hunter Biden pardon," he said.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Rep. Don Bacon.

House Republicans' hunt for cold, hard cash threatens to further complicate Speaker Mike Johnson's majority — which is on track to be the narrowest since the Great Depression.

Why it matters: Johnson's power flows from his close bond with President-elect Trump. Keeping that power will depend on how many of Johnson's members he can convince to defer their big paydays until after 2025.

• Salary is a major sore spot for House lawmakers. They last got a pay bump to $174,000 in 2009 and are banned from the lucrative advances on book deals that their Senate colleagues enjoy.

Just Monday, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) joined — and then deactivated — a Cameo account offering personalized video pep talks for $250 a pop.

• Her colleagues aren't that far off: Multiple House Republicans have told Axios they'd be eager to monetize their X accounts, among other side hustles.

🚨 But the real threat to Johnson's majority is people leaving for private-sector jobs.

• At least five House lawmakers quit Congress early in the last two years to pursue private-sector paychecks. Another four resigned early for other reasons, two died in office and one was expelled.
• If similar patterns play out over the next two years, Johnson's majority is permanently at risk.
• "They're going to need to do something because it impacts recruitment," one member told Axios. "You'll get rich people or people that can't get better jobs."

Between the lines: Johnson will start Jan. 3 with (at most!) a 221-213 vote majority, before falling as low as 218-216 until special elections can replace Trump Cabinet appointees.

• Florida will hold a special election on April 1 to fill the seats of former Rep. Matt Gaetz and Trump's national security adviser nominee Rep. Michael Waltz.
• New York expects a similar timeline to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik, who's nominated as UN ambassador.

The bottom line: Even at full strength, the House GOP majority will be at most 221-214. That's a margin nightmares are made of.

Matt Gaetz's former congressional colleagues, in both parties, raised a collective cheer Thursday as the onetime Florida congressman withdrew his nomination for attorney general.

Why it matters: Gaetz's decision spares the House from a brutal fight over an Ethics Committee report on him and the Senate from an even bloodier battle over his nomination.

• But the question members were left still asking: Will Gaetz return to be sworn in for his term in the 119th Congress?

What we're hearing: "This is the only decent thing Matt Gaetz has ever done," said one House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

• Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) told Axios: "I don't think he was going to make it across the finish line anyway."
• "It settles the matter, we're on to the next one. We've got a lot of work ahead of us ... it's really important we don't lose focus," said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.).
• "It was the right thing to do," said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).

Yes, but: Plenty of Gaetz's former colleagues were loath to comment.

• "I don't believe in kicking someone while they're down," said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.).

On the Senate side, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) told reporters: "I respect his decision."

• "There was no path for him, and he knew that," Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told Axios.
• Mullin added: "I am surprised it happened this quick. But ... it was going to happen. There was no path for him."

Zoom in: Several senior House Democrat told Axios that Gaetz's resignation puts to rest the immediate battle over the Ethics panel's report.

• "That's the end of the fight," said one.
• But Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) signaled plans to move forward with his motion to force a House vote on releasing the report, saying it "remains important that the ... report be made available to the American people."

What to watch: One House Republican predicted that Gaetz's withdrawal is "indicative of what will happen with the other 3 problem nominees."

• Those three: Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, the nominees for defense secretary, health and human services secretary and director of national intelligence, respectively.
• The lawmaker also forecast that Gaetz will have a "significant position" in the Trump administration that will not require Senate confirmation.
• Gaetz said in his resignation letter he does not "intend to" be sworn into another House term. Though there doesn't appear to be any legally binding restriction on him returning to Congress.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

The House Ethics Committee will not release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) after Republicans on the panel voted against making the findings public.

Why it matters: Gaetz is President-elect Trump's nominee to run the Justice Department as attorney general. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) publicly opposed the report's release, arguing it would break precedent because Gaetz has resigned from Congress.

• "There was not an agreement by the committee to release the report," Ethics Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) told reporters leaving Wednesday's meeting.
• The 10-member panel, which is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats — voted along party lines, according to a person familiar with the matter, falling short of the majority vote needed to compel the report's release.

The big picture: Gaetz resigned his House seat shortly after Trump's announcement, raising questions over whether the findings could be made public.

• Multiple Senate Republicans have said they want to see the report stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct with minors as they prepare to consider whether to confirm Gaetz as the nation's top law enforcement officer.

The intrigue: Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly slammed the investigation as politically motivated retaliation for his effort to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

• Gaetz notes that the Department of Justice opted not to pursue charges following its investigation.
• Gaetz allies, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), heavily pushed against the prospect of the report's release.
• Trump is whipping Republican senators to rally behind the controversial former lawmaker, making personal calls to skeptics as he pushes for Gaetz to get the support needed to be confirmed.

The bottom line: Multiple GOP lawmakers have speculated that the findings ultimately will likely be leaked.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

President-elect Trump is personally calling senators to press them to confirm former Rep. Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general, according to senators who have spoken with Trump.

Why it matters: Trump is digging in on his embattled and controversial nominee and is sending an unmistakable message to Senate Republicans that he expects him to be confirmed.

• "He clearly wants Matt Gaetz," said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who received a call from Trump. "He believes Matt Gaetz is the one person who will have the fearlessness and ferociousness, really, to do what needs doing at the Department of Justice."
• "One thing about Donald Trump, people should never confuse his support for one of his nominees as a tactical or strategic tool for somebody else," Cramer said. "And at least to this point, he's putting his own political capital behind it."
• "And he's a pretty persuasive guy," Cramer said.

Another senator also confirmed to Axios that Trump reached out, calling on them to rally behind him.

Zoom out: The House Ethics Committee is debating whether to release its report into allegations of sexual misconduct by Gaetz.

• Multiple House lawmakers speculated that even if the House Ethics Committee does not release the report — with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) advocating for the report to remain closed — it is highly probable it leaks to the press.
• Gaetz has denied wrongdoing.

The bottom line: The confirmation math remains tight, and Gaetz can lose just three votes in order to be confirmed on the floor.

• It's unlikely any Democrats get on board with the controversial lawmaker. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) said that Gaetz is the "least qualified person and most radical person ever nominated to be Attorney General.
• The Florida Republican, who abruptly resigned his House seat last week, will need to win over some lawmakers he has openly criticized in the past.

The Republican-led House Ethics Committee cancelled a planned meeting regarding its investigation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: Gaetz's resignation from Congress after President-elect Trump nominated him for attorney general puts an abrupt end to the panel's investigation.

• The committee had been looking into allegations of sex trafficking, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts, all of which Gaetz has denied.

What we're hearing: Republican members of the committee — which is split 50-50 between the two parties — met Thursday night, both sources confirmed to Axios.

• The panel had been set to vote on the release of what lawmakers expect will be a highly damaging report before Gaetz stepped down from his seat.
• Republicans on the panel and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have signaled their opposition to releasing the report now that Gaetz is a former member and thus no longer under the committee's jurisdiction.
• The meeting's cancellation was first reported by CNN.

The other side: Democrats on the panel have been looking into whether they can formally make the report public, Axios previously reported.

• Senators in both parties have said they want to see the report as they consider Gaetz's nomination for attorney general.
• And some lawmakers have speculated that the report may leak through unofficial channels.

Go deeper: Trump's middle finger: Gaetz for attorney general

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) won the GOP nomination Wednesday for a full, two-year term in the top job, after running unopposed despite hardliners threatening to put up an challenger.

Why it matters: Johnson will need 218 votes in January to retain his gavel, with a tiny majority to pull it off. But President-elect Trump told Republicans on Wednesday he's 100% with Johnson.

• Johnson, who won with nod via unanimous voice vote, was once viewed by many as an interim speaker after he replaced Kevin McCarthy following McCarthy's ouster the middle of the 118th Congress.
• Now he's closer to holding the reins as part of a GOP trifecta in Washington next year.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) was unanimously elected to remain in his post, which entails setting the legislative agenda and scheduling the floor.

• Scalise is expected to be one of the most powerful majority leaders in modern history: The Louisiana Republican will be the longest-serving member of House leadership next year.
• Scalise is the only one to have served during the last Trump administration in a leadership role, providing experience to the team in navigating the dynamics between Congress and the White House.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) will also stay on in the new Congress.

• Emmer — who also ran unopposed for his role —will continue to be tasked with rallying support behind key pieces of legislation with a small majority as they look to move major bills now that the GOP is poised to hold both chambers and the White House.

In the highest-ranking contested race, Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) is set to replace House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as the chamber's No. 4 Republican.

• McClain prevailed over Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) in the race to replace Stefanik, whom Trump tapped to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations.
• Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah) will stay on on as the House GOP's conference vice chairman, where he will assist in messaging efforts.
• National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) will serve another term leading the House GOP's campaign arm.
• And Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) — the current chairman of the Republican Study Committee — managed to oust current House Republican Policy Chairman Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) in the race for Palmer's leadership position.

Zoom out: Senate Republicans, meanwhile, picked a new leader for the first time in 18 years, opting earlier Wednesday for South Dakotan John Thune (S.D.) over Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and Rick Scott (Fla.).

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

Former President Trump shocked and appalled some Republican lawmakers on Wednesday by announcing plans to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general.

Why it matters: Republican reaction to even Trump's most controversial nominations has been muted so far, but placing the scandal-prone right-winger in the nation's highest law enforcement role is a step too far for many.

• "We wanted him out of the House ... this isn't what we were thinking," quipped one House Republican.

Driving the news: In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Gaetz as a "deeply gifted and tenacious attorney" who "has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice."

• Gaetz followed up shortly thereafter with a post on X saying: "It will be an honor to serve as President Trump's Attorney General!"
• A graduate of William & Mary Law School, Gaetz briefly worked at a law firm before getting into politics. He was elected to Congress in 2016.
• A right-wing firebrand who led the successful charge to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Gaetz was the subject of a now-closed DOJ probe into allegations of child sex trafficking.

State of play: Gaetz will need at least 50 senators to get confirmed, meaning he can only afford to lose the votes of three Senate Republicans.

• "This shows why the advice and consent process is so important and I'm sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) who added that she was "shocked" by the pick.
• Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said Gaetz has "got his work really cut out for him" to get confirmed.

What they're saying: Many of Gaetz's own colleagues in the House GOP took the rare step of going on the record to disparage him, underscoring the depth of animosity towards him even among Republicans.

• "Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the senate," said Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), referring to the British monarch who died in 2022.
• Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), noting that Gaetz is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, said he would be "a compromised AG" and that "there are better choices."

The other side: Some Republicans said they will stand behind the choice, with Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) telling Axios, "I support the president."

• Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) told Axios in a text message that "of course" he backs Gaetz's nomination because he supports "any/all of DJT's nominations."

What we're hearing: Trump's announcement was met with audible gasps by House Republicans during a conference meeting on Wednesday afternoon, multiple sources in the room told Axios.

• One House Republican in the meeting described the conference's response as "stunned and disgusted."
• "My reaction ... was surprised," Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) told reporters shortly after the announcement.
• "His name was not someone that I had heard and, to my knowledge, any other members of our conference had heard," Guest added.

What's next: The Ethics probe, which covers sex trafficking as well as allegations of illicit drug use, misuse of campaign funds and accepting bribes, would be closed if Gaetz resigns to become attorney general, Guest said.

• Gaetz has said he's innocent of all allegations in the probe.
• Republicans would also face an extremely narrow House majority if Gaetz is confirmed, with Trump also tapping Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) for roles in his administration.

The bottom line: Even Gaetz's allies concede he will have a tough time clinching the job.

• Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) called the nomination "wonderful" but said "it's going to be tough," because "he's got enemies in the Senate."

Go deeper: Matt Gaetz resigning from Congress "immediately," Johnson says

Editor's note: This article has been updated to add more reporting.