Mike Johnson

[[File:Us rep mike johnson official photo.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Oh, my...]]
{{uspolitics}}
{{cquote|I want to thank my dedicated wife of almost 25 years, Kelly. She’s not here, we couldn’t get a flight in time. This happened sort of suddenly. She’s spent the last couple of weeks on her knees in [[prayer]] to the [[Lord]]. And, um, she’s a little worn out.|30px|30px|Mike Johnson seconds after becoming House Speaker and majority leader<ref>Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, [https://newrepublic.com/post/176447/new-house-speaker-mike-jonson-crass-remark-wife-acceptance-speech New House Speaker Kicks Things Off With Crass Remark About His Wife]. ''New Republic'', 25 October 2023.</ref>}}

'''Mike Johnson''' {{lived|1972}} is the current Speaker of the [[United States House of Representatives]] after the previous Speaker [[Kevin McCarthy]] was removed from office on October 3, 2023. A former legal counsel for the [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] (ADF), he is a [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]]<ref>[https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/10/mike-johnson-republican-house-speaker-covenant-marriage.html How Mike Johnson's "Covenant Marriage" Helps Explain His Politics] by Molly Olmstead (Oct 30, 20232:01 PM) ''Slate''.</ref> [[wingnut]] who holds some of the most religiously [[extremist]] [[conservative]] stances within U.S. politics.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171202/http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/story/d/story/conservative-republican-walks-into-louisiana-legis/29275/stOTzOyAiU6l-uIul9MOdw Conservative Republican walks into Louisiana Legislature’s District 8 seat unopposed] by Nancy Cook (January 10, 2015), KTAL-TV.</ref><ref>Odette Yousef, [https://text.npr.org/1233968467 Alabama justice's ties with far-right Christian movement raise concern]. ''NPR'', 27 February 2024.</ref> It's unsurprising that the [[Freedom Caucus]] is in love with this guy, though Johnson himself is not a member of the group.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/11/02/congress/hfc-happy-post-johnson-huddle-00125017 Freedom Caucus ❤️ Mike Johnson] by Anthony Adragna (November 2, 2023), ''POLITICO''.</ref>

Before becoming House Speaker, Johnson served as a U.S. representative from [[Louisiana]]'s 4th district (And continues to serve in that role) and a state representative from the state's 8th district.

==Political fundamentalism==
{{cquote|The Speaker is not involved in what happens in Ethics. Lots of important reasons for that.|||Speaker Johnson, perhaps a reason being that The Speaker doesn't have any<ref>[https://www.happyscribe.com/public/abc-news/live-abc-news-live-thursday-november-14-abc-news Live: ABC News Live - Thursday, November 14] (15 Nov 2024) ''Happyscribe'', t=09:31:53.</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/18/mike-johnson-matt-gaetz-ethics-report/ The House speaker’s pathetic case for deep-sixing the Gaetz ethics report: Speaker Mike Johnson suddenly opposes releasing the report on Trump’s attorney general nominee.] by Ruth Marcus (November 18, 2024 at 1:05 p.m. EST) ''The Washington Post''.</ref>}}
Johnson strongly advocates for policies typically espoused by the [[religious right]] — including [[Christian nationalism]],<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/mike-johnson-house-speaker-christian-nationalism-1838148 Mike Johnson's Ties to Christian Nationalism Revealed] by Ewan Palmer (October 26, 2023), ''Newsweek''</ref> a nationwide ban on [[abortion]],<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-johnson-abortion-house-speaker/ What are new House Speaker Mike Johnson's record and views on abortion?] by Shawna Mizelleand (October 26, 2023), ''CBS News''.</ref> [[gay marriage]],<ref name="losing liberty">[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/losing-liberty-without-losing-hope/ Losing Liberty Without Losing Hope] by Mike Johnson (July 2, 2017), ''[[Answers in Genesis|Answers Magazine]]''.</ref> and [[covenant marriage]] laws.<ref>[https://www.nola.com/news/politics/national_politics/louisianas-mike-johnson-molds-republican-message/article_ee6a8920-6cce-11ed-b018-b3caee09b4c0.html U.S. Rep Mike Johnson molds Republican messaging as 5th-highest GOP member of Congress] by Mark Ballard (November 28, 2022), ''NOLA.com''</ref><ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/Valentine/story?id=489389&page=1 'Covenant Marriage' Offers Tighter Bonds] (February 10, 2005), ABC News.</ref> He frequently, if not always conforms his political views with [[Christianity]]; likewise, he frequently insinuates that America is [[Declinism|in decline]] due to the country turning its back on the "18th-century" religious and moral "values" that the country was (
[[The United States as a Christian nation#Common_arguments|allegedly]]
 obviously) founded upon.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/27/mike-johnson-value-moral-conservative-republican "New House speaker Mike Johnson praised ‘18th-century values’ in speech"] by Martin Pengelly, Guardian, 2023 October 27</ref>{{efn|Chances are good that these "18th century" religious values Johnson advocates doesn't include [[deism]].}} To give you an idea of how religiously [[delusion|deluded]] he is, Johnson believes [[mass shooting|mass shootings]] are caused by [[abortion]]s, [[secular]]ization, and even the teaching of [[evolution]],<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-johnson-blamed-shootings-teaching-evolution-abortion-1234863223/ New House Speaker Blamed School Shootings on Teaching Evolution and Abortion] by Nikki McCann Ramirez (October 26, 2023), ''Rolling Stone''.</ref><ref>[https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2022/06/03/biden-urges-assault-weapons-ban-as-u-s-house-democrats-advance-gun-control-bills/ Biden urges assault weapons ban, as U.S. House Democrats advance gun control bills] by Ariana Figueroa (June 3, 2022), ''Oregon Capital Chronicle''.</ref> and [[prayer]] is [[Golden hammer|the solution to the issue]].<ref>[https://rollcall.com/2023/10/26/after-mass-shooting-new-speaker-calls-for-prayer-that-senseless-violence-can-stop/ After mass shooting, new speaker calls for prayer that ‘senseless violence can stop’] by Michael Macagnone (October 26, 2023), ''Roll Call''.</ref> 

He strongly believes in [[Young Earth creationism]] as well as its handmaiden, [[Biblical literalism]], and has even written articles for [[Answers in Genesis]];<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/bios/mike-johnson/articles/ Latest Articles by Mike Johnson], ''Answers in Genesis''</ref> in his article defending the [[Ark Encounter]], he accused "radical secularists" of not only undermining constitutional law but also "misrepresenting [[bullshit|related facts]]."<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/ark-encounter-incentives-are-about-tourism/ Ark Encounter Incentives Are About Tourism] by Mike Johnson (August 4, 2014), ''Courier-Journal''. Archived by ''Answers in Genesis''.</ref>

In a similar manner, Johnson wrote a few articles for [[Townhall.com]] back in 2007, which largely focused on the whine that [[Persecution complex|Christians were being persecuted]]. There, Johnson contrasted an article wondering why "our public officials and private [[atheists]]" were supposedly panicking about Jesus' teachings (which he described as "turn the other cheek, go the second mile, reach out in mercy to those who are lonely or impoverished or hurting") with an article that ignored these very same teachings in order to complain about the [[Day of Silence]] and, of course, accuse this protest of being part of the [[homosexual agenda]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120409044114/https://townhall.com/columnists/michaeljohnson/2007/02/28/taking_god_out_of_school_leaves_a_vacuum_something_will_replace/page/full/ "Taking God Out Of School Leaves A Vacuum Something Will Replace"] by Michael Johnson, Townhall.com, 2007 February 28, archived on 2012 April 9</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120404113810/http://townhall.com/columnists/michaeljohnson/2007/04/04/why_are_so_many_american_educators_so_afraid_of_the_truth/page/full/ "Why are so many American Educators so Afraid of the Truth?"] by Michael Johnson, Townhall.com, 2007 April 4, archived on 2012 April 4</ref>

Johnson also moonlights as a professor at [[Liberty University]] teaching "Constitution and free enterprise".<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-mike-johnson-republican-speaker-house-louisiana-2023-10#he-once-supported-the-criminalization-of-gay-sex-6 "Meet Rep. Mike Johnson, the new speaker of the House who introduced the national version of Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' law and played a key role in Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election"] by Bryan Metzger, Business Insider, 2023 October 26</ref> 

He also claims to believe that men and women are equal but strictly [[Kinder, Küche, Kirche|advocates for traditional gender roles to be upheld]]; naturally to him, women cannot and should not take up roles that are for men only because that is what [[God]] wants.<ref name="losing liberty"/>

Even discussions over [[climate change]] fall victim to Johnson's religious agenda. Johnson believes human activity is not the primary cause of climate change;<ref>[https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4275210-mike-johnson-speaker-gop-pro-oil-climate-skeptical-record/ Johnson brings pro-oil, climate-skeptical record to speakership] by Zack Budryk (October 25, 2023), ''The Hill''.</ref> but on top of that, he's also denigrated climate activists as "irrational" and "anti-God," likening the modern climate movement as a religious cult that's replaced the worshiping of God with the worshiping of Earth.<ref name="mjclimate">[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/10/mike-johnson-america-speaker-house/ Mike Johnson Hates America, But He Believes He Can Save It] by David Corn (October 26, 2023), ''Mother Jones''.</ref> On a podcast with [[Jordan Peterson]], Johnson took this view into conspiracy territory, stating that, at the international level, climate change was a "sinister agenda" being pushed by "elites at the top of the food chain".<ref name="mjclimate"/>

===Dominionism===
[[File:An_Appeal_to_Heaven_Flag.svg|thumb|right|250px|The {{wpl|Pine Tree Flag||,}} aka the "Appeal to Heaven" flag. Conceived in the [[American Revolution]], it was appropriated by [[Dominionists]] and the [[New Apostolic Reformation]] in the 2010s, and was a flag frequently seen at the [[2021 U.S. coup attempt]].<ref>[https://towcenter.medium.com/the-pine-tree-flag-how-one-symbol-at-the-capitol-riot-connects-far-right-extremism-to-christianity-f02314a5f759 "The Pine Tree flag: How one symbol at the Capitol riot connects far-right extremism to Christianity"] by Ishaan Jhaveri, Tow Center (Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism), Medium.com</ref><ref name="rspinetreeflag">[https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/mike-johnson-christian-nationalist-appeal-to-heaven-flag-1234873851/ "The Key to Mike Johnson’s Christian Extremism Hangs Outside His Office"] by Bradley Onishi and Matthew D. Taylor, Rolling Stone, 2023 November 10</ref> In November 2023, ''{{wpl|Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone}}'' revealed that this flag hangs outside Johnson's Washington DC office.<ref name="rspinetreeflag"/>]]
Despite being a "constitutional lawyer" as he puts it himself, Johnson has clearly never heard of the [[Establishment clause]] and thinks that the American public has been [[brainwash|brainwashed]] into thinking that the [[separation of church and state]] is a new phenomenon rather than something that actually exists in the [[U.S. Constitution]], claiming that [[Republic, not a democracy|America is not a democracy]] but a [[theocracy|"biblical republic"]];<ref>[https://www.joemygod.com/2023/10/johnson-were-not-a-democracy-were-a-biblical-republic-and-separation-of-church-and-state-isnt-real/ Johnson: We’re Not A Democracy, We’re A “Biblical” Republic And Separation Of Church And State Isn’t Real] (October 26, 2023), ''Joe. My. God.''</ref> this is essentially [[pious fraud]]. 

In the late 2010s, Johnson prepared seminars to be presented in Louisiana [[Baptist]] churches entitled ''Answers for Our Times''. The seminar insisted (historical facts be damned) that [[The United States as a Christian nation|the United States was a Christian nation]]. The seminars' goal was equipping "churches to take a stand against the [[culture war|cultural attacks]] now being [[persecution complex|directed at people of faith]], the [[Family values|traditional family]] and basic freedoms embedded in the [[U.S. Constitution]]." (The later presumably ''not'' including the Establishment clause, of course.)<ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/10/mike-johnson-seminars-christian-nation-speaker-far-right/ "Mike Johnson Conducted Seminars Promoting the US as a “Christian Nation”"] by David Corn, Mother Jones, 2023 October 28</ref>

Mike Johnson has claimed that the pseudohistorian [[David Barton]], who has questioned the Constitutionality of the separation of church and state, has had a "profound influence" on him.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/05/us/politics/michael-johnson-house-speaker-evangelicalism.html ‘Like Winning the Lottery’: Mike Johnson’s Ascent Excites Conservative Christians] by Ruth Graham, New York Times, 2023 November 14</ref>

Underscoring his [[theocratic]] beliefs, Johnson has cultivated ties with members of theocratic movements such as the [[New Apostolic Reformation]].<ref>[https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/mike-johnson-polite-extremist "Mike Johnson, Polite Extremist"] by Matthew D. Taylor, Bulwark, 2023 October 30</ref> In fact, he is a close affiliate of the leader of the NAR, Jim Garlow.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2023/12/05/1217452058/speaker-mike-johnson-draws-scrutiny-for-ties-to-far-right-christian-movements "Speaker Mike Johnson draws scrutiny for ties to far right Christian movements"], NOR, All Things Considered, transcript, 2023 December 5</ref>

In November 2023, Mike Johnson spoke at an event hosted by the ''National Association of Christian Lawmakers'', a [[Christian nationalist]] organization that says its goal is to codify a “biblical worldview” into law.<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/post/177188/mike-johnson-christian-nationalism-abortion "Mike Johnson Keeps Flaunting His Extreme Ideology"] by Tori Otten, New Republic, 2023 November 29</ref> During that closed-doors speech, Johnson, thinking the media wouldn't notice (and unaware that the speech was being recorded for the NACL [[Facebook]] page), proclaimed that his ascent to the House speaker role was [[divine intervention]] and compared himself to [[Moses]].<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-johnson-moses-christian-nationalist-gala-1234918565/ "Mike Johnson Compares Himself to Moses at Christian Nationalist Gala"] by Tim Dickinson, Rolling Stone, 2023 December 6</ref>

===Homophobia===
{{main|Homophobia}}
Johnson has been called "the most anti-equality Speaker in U.S. history." He opposes [[same-sex marriage]] and called [[homosexuals]] "[[sinful]]" and "destructive", claiming that support for homosexuality could lead to support for [[pedophilia]] as well.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/new-house-speaker-mike-johnson-spent-years-fighting/story?id=104312903 How new House Speaker Mike Johnson spent years fighting against gay rights] by Will Steakin (October 25, 2023), ''ABC News''.</ref> He went as far as to claim that "experts projected that homosexual marriage is the dark harbinger of [[chaos]] and sexual anarchy that could doom even the strongest republic" without identifying who these [[weasel word|"experts"]] were.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-kfile/134049583/ Same-sex marriage must be opposed] by Mike Johnson (February 22, 2004), ''The Times (Shreveport)''.</ref>

In 2004, he went on a [[slippery slope]] argument on how the legalization of same-sex marriage would enable other forms of sexual misconduct or deviancy:

{{quotebox|Society cannot give its stamp of approval to such a dangerous lifestyle. If we change marriage for this tiny, modern minority, we will have to do it for every deviant group. [[Polygamy|Polygamists]], [[Polyamory|polyamorists]], pedophiles, and others will be next in line to claim equal protection. They already are. There will be no legal basis to deny a [[bisexual]] the right to marry a partner of each sex, or a person to marry his pet.

If everyone does what is right in his own eyes, chaos and sexual anarchy will result. And make no mistake, the extremists who seek to redefine marriage also want to deny you the right to object to immoral behavior. Our precious religious freedom hangs in the balance. Homosexuals have the right to live however they choose but they cannot redefine marriage for our entire society. The stakes are very high in this battle, and it is not "intolerance" for us to desire a healthy and prosperous community.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-kfile/134019997/ Marriage amendment deserves strong support] by Mike Johnson (September 12, 2004),  ''The Times (Shreveport)''.</ref>}}

Similarly in 2003, he voiced opposition towards ''[[Lawrence v. Texas]]'' and explicitly advocated for the [[discrimination]] against those who commit [[sodomy]] and homosexual activities:

{{quotebox|Proscriptions against sodomy have deep roots in religion, politics and law. States have always maintained the right to discourage the [[evil]]s of [[Adultery|sexual conduct outside marriage]], and the state is right to discriminate between [[heterosexual]] and homosexual conduct since the latter cannot occur within the confines of marriage. Homosexuals do not meet the criteria for a suspect class under the [[Fourteenth Amendment|equal protection clause]] because they are neither disadvantaged nor identified on the basis of immutable characteristics, as all are [[Conversion therapy|capable of changing their abnormal lifestyles]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-kfile/134020593/ Justice takes swipe at American values] by Mike Johnson (July 8, 2003),  ''The Times (Shreveport)''.</ref>}}

Johnson has partnered with [[Exodus International]], a [[conversion therapy]] group.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/politics/mike-johnson-kfile-invs/index.html Before he became a politician, House Speaker Mike Johnson partnered with an anti-gay conversion therapy group] by Andrew Kaczynski (November 1, 2023) ''CNN''.</ref> 

In 2005, for his efforts in Alliance Defending Freedom (then known as the ''Alliance Defense Fund'') fighting gay marriage in Louisiana, he was presented with an award by the [[Family Research Council]].<ref>[https://www.christianpost.com/news/frc-presents-147-family-faith-and-freedom-award-148-to-adf-lawyer.html "FRC Presents “Family, Faith, and Freedom Award” to ADF Lawyer"], Christian Post, 2005 March 17</ref> Johnson has since been a frequent guest on the FRC show "Washington Watch with [[Tony Perkins]]".<ref name="johnsonpodcast">[https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/10/26/mike-johnson-podcast-speakership-00123821 "Mike Johnson’s Podcast Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Mike Johnson"] by Calder McHugh, Politico, 2023 October 26</ref>

After becoming House Speaker, however, Johnson has somewhat reneged on his opposition to the same-sex marriage. In an interview with [[Sean Hannity]], he stated he was okay with the [[Supreme Court]]'s ruling in ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]''<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4278796-speaker-johnson-on-same-sex-marriage-i-am-a-rule-of-law-guy/ Speaker Johnson on same-sex marriage: ‘I am a rule of law guy’] by Lauren Irwin (October 26, 2023), ''The Hill''.</ref> even though he initially sought to have it overturned soon after the decision was made.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/house-speaker-mike-johnson-once-wrote-homosexuality-will-lead-to-anarchy-2023-10 New House Speaker Mike Johnson once wrote that homosexuality will lead to 'chaos and sexual anarchy'] by Thibault Spirlet (October 26, 2023), ''Business Insider''.</ref>

====The decline====
Johnson has a hard-on for masculinist fantasies of the [[Roman Empire]],<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/09/14/roman-empire-trend-men-tiktok/ How often do men think about ancient Rome? Quite frequently, it seems.] by Leo Sands (September 14, 2023) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> and falsely blames homosexuality for its demise.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/11/01/kfile-house-speaker-homosexuality-ebof-vpx.cnn Hear House speaker's past comments blaming the fall of the Roman Empire on homosexuality] (Nov 1, 2023) ''CNN'' via ''YouTube''.</ref><ref>[https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/11/02/house-speaker-mike-johnson-blamed-homosexuals-fall-roman-empire/ House Speaker Mike Johnson once blamed fall of Roman Empire on ‘homosexual behavior’] by Muri Assunção (November 2, 2023 at 2:13 p.m.) ''New York Daily News''.</ref>
{{cquote|Many historians, those who are objective, would look back and recognize and give some credit to the fall of Rome to, not only the deprivation of the society and the loss of morals, but also to the rampant homosexual behavior that was condoned by the society.}}
While there have been ancient historians who have blamed homosexuality for the decline of Rome (e.g. {{wpl|Sallust||,}} {{wpl|Polybius||,}} and {{wpl|Juvenal||),}} it doesn't mean that these historians were "objective" or correct.<ref name=pharos1>[https://pharos.vassarspaces.net/2023/11/06/mike-johnson-speaker-house-homosexuality-fall-roman-empire/ Another Politician Blames Fall of Rome on Homosexuality] (November 6, 2023) ''Pharos''.</ref> "The only people who think they’re 'objective' are [[white nationalist]] intellectuals."<ref name=pharos1/><ref>[https://pharos.vassarspaces.net/2020/07/31/tomislav-sunic-sallust-juvenal-racial-decline/ Sallust and Juvenal Made Prophets of Racial Decline] (July 31, 2020) ''Pharos''</ref> The idea that homosexuality caused the decline of Rome, is not unusual, but according to historian John Boswell, this was one of two "major distortions in modern treatments of Roman homosexuality".<ref name=pharos1/> "This claim has little to do with the history of Rome and everything to do with the history of hatred of Gay people."<ref name=pharos1/>

==Social Security and welfare==
Like many Republicans, Johnson has sought to repeal or cut spending on [[Social Security]], [[Medicare]], and [[Medicaid]], calling it a top priority for Congress to do so. While he was chair of the Republican Study Committee from 2019 to 2021, he helped craft budget resolutions that would have slashed these programs by ''trillions'' of dollars. In an attempt to justify his position, he nonsensically claimed that forced births are what drive welfare programs like Social Security and blamed women for wanting abortions instead of bringing in "[[ableism|able-bodied workers]]."<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/post/176437/new-house-speaker-johnson-blamed-abortions-social-security-medicare-cuts New House Speaker Once Blamed Abortions for Social Security, Medicare Cuts] by Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling (October 25, 2023), ''The New Republic''.</ref><ref>[https://www.commondreams.org/news/mike-johnson-social-security New GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson Has Proposed Trillions in Cuts to Social Security and Medicare] by Jake Johnson (October 25, 2023), ''Common Dreams''.</ref>

==Persecution complex==
During the podcast that he runs with his wife, "Truth be Told with Mike and Kelly Johnson", Johnson explained why he only defended Christian issues (for example as a lawyer at ADF). His explanation ran along the lines of his having a [[persecution complex]]:<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/us/politics/mike-johnson-speaker-religion.html For Mike Johnson, Religion Is at the Forefront of Politics and Policy: The new House speaker has put his faith at the center of his political career, and aligned himself with a newer cohort of conservative Christianity that some describe as Christian nationalism.] by Annie Karni et al. (Oct. 27, 2023) ''The New York Times''.</ref>
{{cquote|I would say because the fact is very simple: There is not an open effort to silence and [[censor]] the viewpoints of other religions. It is only and always the Christian viewpoint that is getting censored. The fact is the left is always trying to shut down the voices of the Christians.}}

==Racism==
Johnson has made remarks that are adjacent to the [[racist]] "[[Great Replacement]]" [[conspiracy theory]]. He has frequently made false public claims such as, "This is the plan of our friends on this side — to turn all the illegals into voters. That’s why the border's open."<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/10/27/mike-johnson-great-replacement-theory-house-speaker/ Mike Johnson’s conspiracy theories about ‘illegals’ mark a new GOP low] by Greg Sargent (October 27, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EDT) ''The Washington Post''.</ref> 

==Election denier==
Johnson is an ardent believer that [[Donald Trump]]'s victory in the [[2020 U.S. presidential election]] was stolen due to [[voter fraud]] and has worked to overturn the election results. In fact, he has been described as "most important architect of the electoral college objections"&nbsp;— he took lead in the failed lawsuit that tried to nullify [[Joe Biden|Joe Biden's]] victory and voted against certifying the election results during ''and'' after the onset of the [[2021 U.S. coup attempt]].<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-speaker-2024-election-certification-8cd7c5a9e6ae69635bbb4624cc78e5c5 New US House speaker tried to help overturn the 2020 election, raising concerns about the next one] by Nicholas Ricccardi (October 26, 2023), ''AP News''.</ref> The fact that he is now House Speaker raised obvious concerns on how the 2024 presidential elections could have played out at that time.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-johnson-led-efforts-overturn-2020-election-2024/story?id=104351307 Mike Johnson helped lead efforts to overturn the 2020 election. What that could mean for 2024] by Tal Axelrod (October 27, 2023), ''ABC News.</ref>

==Forced birth and keeping dead people on life support==
During Johnson's time at ADF, he took an active part in the circus that revolved around trying to keep the clinically dead [[Terri Schiavo]] on a feeding tube as long as possible. Johnson also viewed this task as morally equivalent to also banning all abortions, and the opposite stance to that of [[Nazi Germany]]. In 2005, at the time of the termination of Schiavo's feeding tube, Johnson wrote a letter to the ''Shreveport Times'' explaining his [[Nazi analogies|Nazi analogy]]:<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-mike-johnson-editorial-on-abor/134127100/ Schiavo case advances 'culture of death'] by Mike Johnson (April 1, 2005) ''Shreveport Times'' via ''Newspapers.com''. Page 13.</ref><ref>[https://www.theshakedown.documented.net/p/new-speaker-of-the-house-equated New Speaker of the House Equated Reproductive Rights with Holocaust: Editorial uncovered by Documented reveals Johnson's extreme views on abortion.] by Jamie Corey (Oct 26, 2023) ''Documented''.</ref>
{{cquote|The prevailing judicial philosophy is no different than Hitler's. Because the life of an unborn child (or a disabled{{efn|Schiavo was already clinically [[dead]], not [[disabled]].}} Terri Schiavo, or the elderly or infirm) may be difficult or inconvenient or even costly to society now means it can be terminated. This disregard for life has been fostered by the courts. During business hours today, 4,500 innocent American children will be killed. It is a holocaust that has been repeated every day for 32 years, since 1973's [[Roe v. Wade]].}}

==Hail Putin!==
Johnson and other Louisiana Republicans were able to receive tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations from three Russian nationals in 2018, {{wpl|Konstantin Nikolaev||,}} Mikhail Yuriev, and Andrey Kunatbaev. It was something that they could not legally do directly, so they funneled the donations through the US company in which they owned an 88% majority share.<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/house-speaker-mike-johnson-donations-russia-butina-1838501 Mike Johnson's Campaign Contributions From Company Tied to Russia] by Ewan Palmer (Oct 27, 2023) ''Newsweek''.</ref> As of 2023, Konstantin Nikolaev was under economic sanctions by [[Ukraine]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231117211631/https://theins.ru/korrupciya/264928 Превратил деньги в вино. Винодельни при дворце Путина убыточны, несмотря на вложенные в них миллиарды] (15 September 2023) ''Коррупция/The Insider'' (archived from November 17, 2023).</ref> Given that Johnson has at best been foot dragging on aid to Ukraine or at worst supporting [[genocide]].<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/us-veteran-blasts-mike-johnson-gop-supporting-genocide-ukraine-russia-2024-2 A US veteran who says he fought in Ukraine accused Mike Johnson and MAGA Republicans of 'supporting the genocide of innocent people'] by Thibault Spirlet (Feb 7, 2024, 4:44 AM PST) ''Business Insider''.</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Mike}}
[[Category:2020 election denialists]]
[[Category:2021 U.S. coup attempt]]
[[Category:Anti-abortion activists]]
[[Category:Antifeminism]]
[[Category:Baptists]]
[[Category:Christian fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]
[[Category:Creationists]]
[[Category:Declinists]]
[[Category:Government incompetence]]
[[Category:Homophobes]]
[[Category:Lawyers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Pseudohistory promoters]]
[[Category:Racists]]
[[Category:Right-wing activists]]
[[Category:Theocracy]]
[[Category:United States politicians]]
[[Category:Vatniks]]
[[Category:We're on a mission from God]]
[[Category:White supremacy]]

Categories: 2020 election denialists, 2021 U.S. coup attempt, Anti-abortion activists, Antifeminism, Baptists, Christian fundamentalism, Conspiracy theorists, Creationists, Declinists, Government incompetence, Homophobes, Lawyers, Living people, Members of the United States House of Representatives, Pseudohistory promoters, Racists, Right-wing activists, Theocracy, United States politicians, Vatniks, We're on a mission from God, White supremacy