House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, announced on Tuesday that he is collaborating with Yuli Edelstein, the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, to initiate a global effort to nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination is tied to the recent Middle East peace deal that has led to the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Johnson made this announcement during a government shutdown press conference on the 14th day of the ongoing fiscal standoff between Democrats and Republicans.
“I’m proud to tell you that together with my friend, Speaker Ohana of the Israeli Knesset, the equivalent of our Congress, we’re going to embark upon a project together to rally speakers and presidents of parliaments around the world so that we will jointly nominate President Donald J. Trump for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize,” Johnson stated. “No one has ever deserved that prize more, and that is an objective fact.” This initiative is part of a broader effort to recognize Trump’s role in facilitating the historic agreement.
Trump was in Egypt on Monday for the signing of the historic peace deal alongside other world leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The agreement is seen as a significant step towards resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict, with both sides beginning to take initial steps in the peace process by releasing people held by their respective sides. Israel released all 20 living Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas, while Israel began releasing Palestinian prisoners it held within its own borders.
Johnson praised Trump for his role in the U.S.-brokered agreement, noting the positive changes in the treatment of hostages following the U.S. election. “I saw a video last night of one of the released hostages who made the point that as soon as the election was held in November in the United States, Hamas began to treat him and his fellow hostages much better,” Johnson said. “They fed them better. They respected them more. They changed the tone of how they treated them. They no longer spit upon them. As he said in his own words, elections have consequences.” This statement highlights the perceived political influence of the U.S. election on the actions of Hamas, suggesting a linkage between democratic processes and conflict resolution.
The announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize effort coincides with ongoing political tensions in the United States, including a screaming match between Hakeem Jeffries and Mike Lawler as government shutdown chaos continues. This further underscores the complex political landscape in which Johnson’s initiative is being pursued. Despite these challenges, the international recognition of Trump’s diplomatic achievements remains a focal point in current discussions, reflecting the intersection of U.S. domestic politics and international relations.