US House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Donald Trump's trial for felony charges related to secret hush money payments, becoming the highest-ranking Republican to show support for Trump in this way. At the courthouse, Johnson attacked the case as a "ridiculous prosecution" and "sham" that was "all about politics," signaling Trump's strong influence over the Republican party. Johnson has been a key figure in Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and claims other cases against Trump are a "borderline criminal conspiracy." Critics argue the Republican visits are aimed at dismissing any conviction and laying the groundwork to challenge the 2024 election results.