No Apologies: New Speaker Johnson’s Worldview Is The Bible
New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) did not waste time laying out his belief system after he took the gavel. The Republican made strikingly candid statements to Fox News’ Sean Hannity about the basis of his leadership.
He said to determine his worldview, one simply should “go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it.”
The new Speaker was attacked by a CNN article claiming he is against the LGBT lifestyle. The network must be seething over his comments on “Hannity.”
Johnson enjoyed unanimous GOP support after three weeks of infighting over three nominees who all fell by the wayside. The extended effort to replace ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) finally ended with his selection.
The new Speaker delivered his first speech in his new role with his Bible by his side. He told his colleagues that he believed they were called by God and given the duty to utilize their natural gifts to benefit the people of the country.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) recalled a January meeting during the debate over elevating McCarthy to the Speaker’s position.
He said Johnson and other Republicans “lifted up the Speaker’s race to the Lord and asked for his divine guidance.” At that point, he said, 14 GOP members changed their vote and supported the California Republican.
Steube called Johnson a “strong conservative” and a “strong Christian.”
Many on the left are digging up comments the new Speaker made 15 years or more ago while working for the Christian advocacy group Alliance Defense Fund.
Johnson recalled being a litigator when more than 35 states enacted amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman. He explained, “I was a religious liberty defense [attorney] and called to defend those cases in court.”
Johnson described himself as a “rule of law guy” and said that is the basis of his career. He acknowledged the U.S. Supreme Court established gay marriage as legal in the Obergefell ruling and said he “genuinely love[s] all people regardless of their lifestyle choices.”
He said the issues are “not about the people themselves.”
Johnson noted there are 435 House members and each brings their own personal convictions to the chamber. “You have to argue and find consensus and all of that, so I have no agenda other than what’s best for the American people.”
