In a strategic move to strengthen his position as Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson is making efforts to align himself with former President Donald Trump. Johnson is set to appear alongside Trump at a joint news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Friday, where they will address the topic of "election integrity," a subject close to Trump's heart.

Sources close to Johnson and Trump have revealed that allies of the Speaker have urged the former president to publicly endorse Johnson or, at the very least, refrain from getting involved in the ongoing disputes between Johnson and House Republicans. Additionally, Johnson has been advised to keep Trump informed about a Ukraine aid package that has yet to be released, a potentially volatile issue that could strain Johnson's rookie speakership.

This strategic attempt to stay in Trump's favor could provide Johnson with much-needed political cover as he navigates a challenging period in his leadership, while also helping to quell a potential revolt from the right wing of the party. It underscores the continued influence that Trump holds over the House Republican Conference, a testament to Johnson's long-standing support for the former president.

It should be noted, however, that Johnson may encounter challenges in fully aligning himself with Trump. Apart from his promise to provide Ukraine with funding, a move Trump has opposed, Johnson has also been working on a contentious reauthorization of a foreign surveillance law. Despite his efforts, Trump's encouragement for Republicans to reject the bill led to its defeat in a procedural vote on Wednesday.

When asked about seeking Trump's support amid a possible vote to remove him from the speakership, Johnson chose not to comment on his conversations with the former president. Similarly, Trump's team declined to comment on any discussions they may have had.

Trump has been reported to express a desire to avoid another speaker fight, according to one source. Meanwhile, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump ally who has threatened to force a vote on Johnson's removal, declined to disclose Trump's position on her efforts. Greene remains unfazed by Johnson's forthcoming news conference with Trump, stating that it does not bother her.

As lawmakers prepare to return to Washington after a two-week recess, Johnson has been discreet about his strategy regarding Ukraine aid. However, he has floated the idea of structuring the aid as a loan, a proposal previously suggested by Trump. Several House Republicans have expressed the need for Trump's endorsement to gain their confidence in any Ukraine package, emphasizing the significance of seeking Trump's input.

In the midst of these proceedings, some Trump allies who support providing aid to Ukraine remain cautiously optimistic. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, described the encounter as "good" and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for Ukraine aid during his meetings with US lawmakers.

Two sources close to Trump have indicated that the former president has not altered his stance on funding Ukraine. Nonetheless, Greene continues to pressure Johnson to abandon his plans for both Ukraine aid and the surveillance bill.

As Johnson strives to secure his leadership position and navigate political challenges, his efforts to align himself with Trump highlight the enduring influence the former president wields within the Republican Party. It remains to be seen how successful Johnson's strategy will be in gaining widespread support and mitigating potential threats to his speakership.