Trump backs slate of vulnerable House Republicans on heels of Johnson meeting

President Trump publicly endorsed a handful of vulnerable House Republicans following his meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chair Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) at the White House on Monday. 

In a series of posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump backed Reps. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), and Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.). 

The four Republican congressmen are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s target lists. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Ciscomani's, Evans's, and Perry’s seats as  “toss-ups,” while Van Orden’s seat is considered “lean Republican.”

Additionally, Trump formally endorsed Rep. John McGuire (R-Va.), who is running in a primary against former Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), on the platform. 

House Republicans hold a 220-213 majority over Democrats ahead of next year’s midterms. The battle for the House majority likely will come down to a handful of swing districts next year. Last month, the NRCC announced it was targeting 26 Democrats in the midterms. The DCCC rolled out its target list earlier this month, going after 35 House Republicans. 

Historically, midterms are typically difficult for the sitting president’s party. Elections handicapper Sabato’s Crystal Ball predicted earlier this month that Democrats would win back control of the House. 

However, House Republicans have put up a fight against Democrats in terms of fundraising. The NRCC announced earlier this month it raised a $36.7 million in the first quarter of the year, slightly trailing the DCCC, which raised $36.9 million in the same period. 

In addition to discussing the midterm map, Johnson and Trump discussed passing his legislative agenda. House Republicans are set to hash out the details of the legislation this week as Johnson seeks to pass the bill by the end of May.