US President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's efforts to leave the European Union by October 31, with or without a deal, and to force a snap general election. Speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump told journalists not to worry about his friend, saying, 'Boris knows how to win. He's going to be fine.'
Johnson is attempting to secure an early election, requiring the backing of two-thirds of the House of Commons. After expelling 21 rebel Conservative MPs who opposed his strategy, he currently has 289 Tory MPs on board. However, without Labour support, he is likely to fall short of the 434 votes needed. Labour is instead focusing on preventing a no-deal Brexit.
US Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to meet Johnson in London on Thursday as part of a European trip. Pence reiterated the Trump administration's support for Brexit, stating, 'The United States of America stands with the United Kingdom in its decision to leave the European Union.' He also acknowledged the complexities, including the Irish border issue, and expressed hope for an orderly Brexit.
Trump last spoke with Johnson at the G7 summit in France in August, where he called Johnson the 'right man for the job' and predicted he would be a 'fantastic prime minister'. Trump has not spoken with Johnson since then, but his latest comments reinforce his backing for Johnson's Brexit strategy.
