UPDATE 2 - Mike Johnson re-elected as US House speaker

​​​​​​​ADDS COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Republican Mike Johnson was re-elected US House Speaker on the first ballot in a 218-215 vote Friday.

The newly-elected 119th US Congress began, with Republicans in full control of both chambers for the first time since 2019.

The first order of business in the House of Representatives was to elect a speaker.

Johnson was unanimously nominated by his party to retain the gavel shortly after the Nov. 5 elections.

Johnson, however, was on track to fall short of being elected on the first vote, after three Republicans -- Reps. Thomas Massie, Ralph Norman and Keith Self -- initially voted for other candidates for speaker, denying Johnson a majority.

Johnson left the floor with the Republicans who did not vote for him. Later, Norman and Self changed their votes to Johnson.

The final tally saw Johnson get the win, with Democratic nominee Hakeem Jeffries garnering 215 votes. Rep. Tom Emmer receive one vote.

Before presenting the gavel to Johnson, Jeffries said: "It's time for us to come together; not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans to get things done for the people."

After accepting the gavel, Johnson asked for a moment of silence in honor of the victims of the New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.

"This is a momentous time in the nation of the history, the history of our nation," Johnson told the House.

The new Congress will "listen to the voices of the people," he said.

"In recent months, we’ve witnessed something happening -- something that’s really remarkable, a political moment in our modern history: A groundswell of Americans from every state, race and religion who now demand that we put the interest of Americans first again," Johnson added.

He was sworn in and then swore in members of the House.

"Congratulations, you are now members of the 119th Congress," he said.

President-elect Donald Trump congratulated Johnson for receiving an "unprecedented" vote of confidence in Congress.

"Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary. The People of America have waited four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They’ll get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.