Exclusive: Mike Johnson on Corporate Interests in Ukraine Conflict

The inside story of how House Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on Ukraine aid was influenced starts with his top policy adviser, Dan Ziegler, a former lobbyist. Ziegler’s clients included major companies with corporate statements indicating some interest in the war. Before joining Johnson’s team, Ziegler was a lobbyist at Williams & Jensen, representing companies that have made public statements about the war in Ukraine. This raises questions about the Speaker’s management and handling of major legislative proposals.

Ziegler’s lobbying activities also involved the News Media Alliance, which pushed for the controversial Journalism Competition & Preservation Act (JCPA). The presence of other staffers with questionable backgrounds further complicates Johnson’s leadership.

The Speaker’s authorization of attacks on conservatives aligned with former President Donald Trump, as well as the public support from allies like Rep. Michael McCaul, demonstrate Johnson’s determination to push this agenda. McCaul’s attack on Sen. J.D. Vance illustrates the division within the Republican Party on this issue.

Meet the Men Who Flip-Flopped Johnson

In a surprising turn of events, Speaker Johnson’s stance on providing aide to Ukraine has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, he was against allocating funds for Ukraine’s defense, as seen in his opposition to the $47 billion designated for the purpose. He even supported an amendment to strip $300 million from the Pentagon Appropriations package last year. However, recently, Speaker Johnson has shifted his position, now advocating for the provision of more than $48 billion in aide to Ukraine.

This dramatic change can be attributed to the influence of his top two advisers, Policy Director Dan Ziegler and National Security Adviser Josh Hodges. According to sources familiar with the matter, these two aides have been instrumental in persuading Speaker Johnson to change his stance on Ukraine aide.

The shift in Speaker Johnson’s policy direction raises questions about the decision-making process within his office. The swift change from opposing aide to supporting a significant increase in funding has left many wondering about the factors that led to this decision. The fact that the process for passing the bill was conducted behind closed doors and rushed through without proper debate or amendment has only added to the confusion.

As the Speaker’s office navigates this complex issue, it remains to be seen how this change in policy will impact the political landscape and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Speaker Johnson’s policy change on Ukraine aide since becoming Speaker and hiring Ziegler and Hodges as top advisers is marked by a shift in strategy that has led to a complex legislative process. This change has included retracting promises made to conservatives in order to secure the speaker’s gavel. The proposed legislation, which includes tens of billions in aid to Ukraine, is likely to only pass the House with significant Democratic support, as it has incited anger and opposition from conservative lawmakers.

Critics accuse Johnson of prioritizing Ukraine’s border over America’s southern border and pushing President Joe Biden’s agenda. Some sources familiar with the situation have expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of Ziegler and Hodges, suggesting that their advice has not been beneficial for the Republican Conference or the American people.

It has been brought to the attention of House members that Dan Ziegler and Josh Hodges, two key advisers to Speaker Mike Johnson, have been making questionable decisions both strategically and substantively. Raj Shah, the Speaker’s deputy chief of staff for communications, has not provided any on-the-record commentary or answered detailed questions regarding Ziegler and Hodges.

Shah’s background includes working at the RNC, followed by a stint in the Trump White House as a spokesperson. During this time, he occasionally served as a backup for then-Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He later left the White House to work at Fox Corporation alongside former House Speaker Paul Ryan. Shah’s communications were mentioned in the legal dispute between Fox News and Dominion, where he was listed as a top official alongside Ryan.

Shah has emerged as a key enforcer of Johnson’s communications structure, blocking and tackling any criticisms that come at the Speaker from the right. On his account on X–the platform formerly known as Twitter–Shah has in recent days elevated several Never Trump establishment Republicans who have backed Johnson amid criticisms from Greene and Massie among others. Shah has promoted the following messages from people including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox:

Trump’s history with Kemp is very contentious and widely known, but Cox is perhaps even worse of a Never Trumper. Even just a couple months ago in mid-February, when Trump had already won the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary just before the South Carolina primary, Cox said it would be a “huge mistake” for Republicans to nominate Trump for president in 2024. Trump would obviously go on to decimate former United States ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in her own state and on Super Tuesday, winning the nomination. But Cox remains adamantly critical of Trump.