Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) returns to Washington this week celebrating several recent policy victories but also facing a renewed threat to his gavel from a small but unpredictable group of conservative rebels infuriated by his leadership style.

Johnson received widespread praise from leaders in both parties this month after muscling two high-profile proposals through the House: an increase in aid for Ukraine and an extension of Washington’s warrantless spying powers. But his decision to champion those controversial policies — and to forge deals with President Biden and the Democrats to get them done — has sparked a new backlash from a handful of hard-liners vowing to topple him from power. 

Leading the charge…