In a surprising turn of events, House Speaker Mike Johnson is now at risk of being ousted from his position after hard-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate on Friday. This move mirrors the political dynamic that led to the removal of the previous Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, just five months ago.

The motion to vacate comes at a critical time, as the House was in the midst of a vote on a $1.2 trillion package to keep the government open. However, the likelihood of a vote on removing Johnson in the immediate future seems uncertain, as the House is scheduled to go on a two-week spring recess after Friday's session.

Johnson's spokesman, Raj Shah, expressed the Speaker's focus on governing and pushing forward conservative legislation. He emphasized Johnson's commitment to securing the border, strengthening national defense, and demonstrating how to grow the majority. Despite the motion, Johnson remains dedicated to his responsibilities.

Under the rules, any member can make the motion privileged, which would require a vote within two legislative days. However, it is also possible for the motion to sit until lawmakers return next month. Greene, who issued a "warning" to Johnson, has not provided a specific timeframe for her next move.

This threat of removal, which is the ultimate punishment for a speaker, puts a cloud over Johnson's tenure as Speaker, especially as he works to pass funding to support Ukraine, a move that far-right Republicans oppose. Johnson has refrained from putting a $95 billion national security package with Ukraine funds to a House vote, but he has pledged to prioritize funding for Ukraine.

As the House Speaker with the narrowest majority in modern times, Johnson's grip on his Republican colleagues is fragile. With only a few defectors being acceptable on any vote, he could easily be ousted unless Democrats intervene to protect him.

The removal of a Speaker in this manner is unprecedented, with McCarthy's ouster last fall highlighting the deep divisions and infighting within the Republican Party. Many Republicans were embarrassed by this spectacle, as it hindered their ability to effectively pursue their priorities.

In the lead-up to the recent vote, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a prominent Trump ally, cautioned against removing Johnson, suggesting that frustrated Republican lawmakers might even cross the aisle and vote for Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Gaetz warned that vacating the Speaker position could potentially result in a Democrat taking over, further complicating the already turbulent political landscape.

As Republicans continue to grapple with internal conflicts, the prospect of voting for a Democratic Speaker remains a possibility, further highlighting the party's struggle to regain a sense of stability within Congress.

In the coming weeks, the fate of Speaker Mike Johnson will hang in the balance, as his political future and the direction of the House remain uncertain.