Trump backs Boris Johnson amid setbacks: He ‘knows how to win’

President Trump on Wednesday expressed confidence in Boris Johnson as the U.K. prime minister faces defections from his Conservative Party amid an effort to push through a vote on Brexit.

“He’s a friend of mine, and he’s going at it, there’s no question about it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a briefing on Hurricane Dorian.

{mosads}”Boris knows how to win,” he added. “Don’t worry about him.”

Johnson faced a significant setback Tuesday when 21 members of his party joined with other members of Parliament to force a vote to delay the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union.

On Wednesday, lawmakers in the House of Commons voted 329-300 to advance a bill that would block a “no deal” Brexit, handing Johnson his second defeat in as many days.

Johnson, a staunch supporter of Brexit, has pledged to get the United Kingdom out of the continental bloc by an Oct. 31 deadline even without an agreement for the process in place.

Trump previously criticized Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, over her inability to secure a Brexit deal.

He has touted his personal relationship with Johnson, who took office in July, and expressed confidence in his ability to get Brexit passed despite its divisiveness within parliament.