House Speaker Mike Johnson appeared headed for defeat before two Republicans switched their vote, delivering him a majority.

The day began with the formulaic roll call of every member of the House, which had become familiar to a national audience over the 19 different ballots to elect a Republican Speaker in 2023. (First, the 15 needed to elect Kevin McCarthy and then the four needed to replace him after his ouster.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has a slim shot at keeping his gavel Friday, as dozens of Republicans reportedly remain uncommitted to supporting the staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump. Representative Thomas Massie vowed Thursday night that he wouldn’t vote for Johnson, even under threat of torture.

Speaker Mike Johnson reclaimed the speakership for the 119th Congress after two Republican holdouts flipped their votes during a vote

For a moment there on Friday afternoon, Mike Johnson’s speakership looked a little dicey. But following multiple huddles and some last-minute intervention from President-elect Donald Trump, two GOP defectors changed their votes and Johnson was once again elected speaker of the House of Representatives.

Mike Johnson persuaded a pair of GOP skeptics to change votes, keeping the gavel in an era of Republican control in Washington.