Speaker Mike Johnson is already turning out to be a huge gift to the Democrats
It is puzzling why the moderate Republicans caved to the far right by electing Mike Johnson Speaker of the House. The first sign that this was a bad idea was when Trump embraced his appointment. If Trump likes him, there is decidedly something wrong with him. He hasn’t constantly made news like MTG, Gaetz, and Boebert, but make no mistake: he is one of them. In fact, he may be worse, as he is a far-right self-proclaimed Christian with extremely conservative views on religion who doesn’t understand the concept of “separation of church and state.” The government exists for ALL citizens, not just those who have Christian beliefs. Johnson, of course, capped off his win with a speech about how God “raises up those in authority” and that God “allowed and ordained each and every one of us to be here at this specific moment.” It almost sounds like Johnson thinks he is one of God’s “chosen people.” It is frankly rather frightening to have this man third in line for the presidency. Don’t get me wrong: I respect people’s beliefs just as I expect them to respect mine, but the House floor is no place to have a revival.
Speaking with Newsweek Sunday, George Conway called Johnson a “massive gift” to Democrats. It is obvious that Johnson tends to intertwine his politics and religion, as he did in his speech, confirming that he has no respect for separation of state and church. This is partly why Conway called him a “gift.” He is decidedly anti-LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, is staunchly anti-abortion, and he’s an election denier. He’s not only an election denier, but he wrote an amicus brief filed with the supreme court in support of a Texas suit that sought to throw out all swing-stage results. Before coming to Congress, Johnson worked for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. According to the Guardian, he also wants to cut Social Security and Medicare. This is the man who holds the speaker’s gavel, and he is right in line with the hard-right contingent of Congress.
Johnson is ready to continue the useless investigation into alleged wrongdoing by President Joe Biden by subpoenaing his son Hunter. They have found nothing to date, and they’re not going to find anything now. It’s time to move on from the bogus impeachment inquiry into President Biden. These are the same people who wanted to brush Trump’s violations under the carpet. Trump is a known crook while President Biden is and has been a devoted civil servant for 50 years. This is the same grandstanding Jim Jordan was doing, so why didn’t moderates want Jordan to have the gavel when this guy is just as bad if not worse? We would all have been better off had moderates decided to go with the devil they know. At least we know what Jim Jordan is about. Johnson is a complete mystery, and that is frankly frightening.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years