Rand Paul has forecasted Mike Johnson's departure from his Speaker role before spring, alongside criticizing federal spending and fellow politicians in his yearly Festivus tradition.
Mediaite reported that Senator Rand Paul has recently expressed doubts about Speaker Mike Johnson's continued leadership.
In a bold prediction shared on X, Paul anticipates Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, will lose his position as Speaker of the House by the time Washington D.C. sees warmer weather.
This forecast forms part of Paul's annual release of grievances which coincides with his 2024 "Festivus Report."
The report details various examples of what he considers wasteful government spending. His attacks are not limited to Johnson but extend to other prominent figures such as Senator Joni Ernst and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The "Festivus Report 2024" published by Paul, a Kentucky Republican, pinpoints multiple instances of federal expenditures that he views as excessive and unnecessary.
Among the examples cited are $12 million allocated for a pickleball complex in Las Vegas, funded by the Department of the Interior, and more than $4.8 million given to Ukrainian influencers by the State Department.
Additional reported spending include a $2 million Health and Human Services grant to research children’s reactions to Facebook food ads, $365,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts to support circuses in city parks, and $3 million dedicated to "Girl-Centered Climate Action" in Brazil.
Another remarkable mention in Paul’s report is a concert sum of $32,596.12 spent on breakdancing initiatives, which has been viewed as another example of how taxpayer dollars are used in questionable ways.
In his X postings, Paul did not hold back on his criticisms regarding the handling of the federal budget, an issue he sees as historically mismanaged by leadership, including Johnson's predecessor, Kevin McCarthy.
McCarthy was notably attacked for his unsuccessful campaign strategies in which he allegedly spent around $30 million trying to defeat conservative opponents, largely without success.
Paul took a swing at McCarthy's continued presence in the public eye questioning, "But he’s still on my TV!? WHY?" reflecting his exasperation with what he sees as persistent failures among former political leaders.
The report’s critique extends to Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, whom Paul mocks for her voting record concerning spending bills, especially in light of her potential new role heading the Senate DOGE caucus.
Continuing with his typical blend of serious critique and humorous commentary, Paul previously suggested that business magnate Elon Musk should replace Johnson as Speaker. This proposal aligns with Paul's overarching sentiment of needing substantial change within the federal government to interrupt the status quo.
"Nothing would disrupt the swamp more than electing Elon Musk... think about it... nothing’s impossible," stated Paul, aiming to underline his call for a dramatic reshaping of political norms.
In his usual style, decorated with humor and directness, Paul ensures his audience is aware of the jest involved in his communications.
"One thing that people should know, I tell jokes here, in case you weren’t here for other years," he explained, underscoring the mix of entertainment and serious political commentary characteristic of his Festivus messages.