In a surprising turn of events, House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing mounting opposition from within his own party as Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky becomes the second House Republican to publicly support efforts to oust Johnson from power. This development comes amidst criticism of Johnson's handling of foreign aid for Ukraine and other issues.

Massie, a member of Johnson's own Rules Committee, announced his co-sponsorship of a resolution introduced by far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia to remove Johnson from the top job. Massie's dissatisfaction with Johnson's leadership extends beyond the handling of Ukraine aid, also citing concerns over the passage of a massive government funding package and a bill to renew a controversial spying tool.

The Kentucky congressman expressed his concern about the situation, stating, "He's going for the trifecta, the Triple Crown. There are people riding him like a horse here. They don't care if the horse collapses. I do because it's going to throw our conference into turmoil."

However, Johnson remains steadfast in his position and has expressed no intention of resigning. During a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to his role and dismissed the notion of vacating the speaker's chair as an "absurd notion."

While Massie's support for Johnson's removal holds significance, it remains uncertain how many Republicans will rally behind such an overthrow, especially considering the upcoming presidential election. Some Republicans, including Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Matt Gaetz of Florida, and Troy Nehls of Texas, have already voiced their opposition to a motion to vacate.

The GOP majority is currently hanging by a thread, with limited room for defections. If Greene's motion is deemed "privileged," a floor vote to vacate the speaker's chair will be forced. In order for Johnson to be removed, at least three Republicans, along with all Democrats, must support the motion.

Democrats, however, are divided on the matter. Some have expressed a willingness to vote against the motion, in order to prevent a repeat of the chaos that followed the toppling of Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the past, which ultimately led to Johnson's rise.

As the conservative rebellion unfolds, Johnson continues to navigate challenges in moving forward foreign aid for U.S. allies like Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan through the House. Far-right members, including Greene, are urging Johnson to prioritize border security with Mexico instead.

The support of Massie, a member of the influential Rules Committee, adds another layer of complexity to Johnson's leadership. Typically, members of the Rules Committee align with the speaker. However, since Massie was appointed by Rep. Kevin McCarthy last year, Johnson has had to bypass the committee on several occasions to advance critical legislation.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining the fate of Speaker Mike Johnson, as the House Republican party grapples with internal divisions and the potential ramifications for their agenda moving forward.