Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended labeling this weekend’s “No Kings” rallies opposing President Donald Trump as “hate America” rallies, arguing that he was not referring to Democrats themselves but the message of the protesters.
Pressed by Karl about Johnson likening anarchists, antifa and Hamas to the modern Democratic Party, Johnson defended his remarks.
There’s a rise of Marxism in the Democratic Party.
“If President Trump was a king, the government would be open right now.
If President Trump was a king, they would not have been able to engage in that free speech exercise out on the (National) Mall,” he said.
Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House, defended calling this weekend’s anti-President Donald Trump “No Kings” rallies “hate America” rallies, claiming that he was referring to the protesters’ message rather than Democrats in general.
Regarding Johnson’s remarks from last week, ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl questioned, “Just on this notion that these are, ‘hate America’ rallies — and you not only talked about anarchists, antifa advocates, pro-Hamas wing — you said this is the modern Democratic Party.”. I do recall, however, your statement following Charlie Kirk’s murder that we should see our fellow Americans as fellow citizens rather than as adversaries. “..”.
Johnson asserted that “there were a lot of hateful messages” during Saturday’s protests, despite his statement that “I’ve never called anybody an enemy.”.
He went on to say, “I mean, we have video and pictures of pretty violent rhetoric calling out the president, saying fascists must die, and all such things.”. Therefore, the message is more important than the people. “..”.
When Karl pressed Johnson about his comparison of the modern Democratic Party to anarchists, antifa, and Hamas, Johnson defended his comments.
Johnson remarked, “I never said it was the whole Democratic Party, but you and I have to acknowledge the reality,” before criticizing Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City.
“Observe the events in New York. An open socialist Marxist is going to be elected mayor of the biggest city in America. Marxism is becoming more prevalent within the Democratic Party. Nobody can dispute it because it is an objective fact,” he stated.
Trump has labeled Mamdani a “communist,” but he has previously said he is not. He has frequently asserted that he is a democratic socialist, which is how he defines himself.
The “No Kings” branding of the nationwide protests, Johnson further contended, was ironic.
“If President Trump were a monarch, the government would be functioning at this very moment. They couldn’t have exercised their right to free speech on the National Mall if President Trump had been a monarch,” he said.
Additional highlights from Johnson’s interview are provided here.
Regarding the upcoming inauguration of the Democratic Rep. The choice is Adelita Grijalva.
Karl: Adelita Grijalva, the representative-elect, will be sworn in when?
Johnson: The moment Chuck Schumer gives us permission to turn the lights back on, when we return to legislative session.
Karl: What have you not done yet?
Johnson: Because this is how the organization operates. By the way, I am adhering to the Pelosi precedent.
Karl: The Johnson precedent—you swear in two Republicans the day after they were elected, after all.
Johnson: I’m glad to respond. I’m glad to respond. Pat Ryan is the Pelosi precedent. Joe Sempolinski. They were chosen at a recess in August. The oath was thus administered to them 21 days later, when the House reconvened for a regular legislative session. That’s what we’re doing. Right now, we are not in session. Representative. After the House adjourned, Grijalva was chosen. I’ll administer the oath as soon as we resume the legislative session and the Democrats decide to turn the lights back on so that everyone can return.
Karl: Tomorrow is your swearing-in day, right?
Johnson: Not at all. Not on the morrow. No, we wouldn’t be able to. Earlier in this Congress, two Floridians were granted an exception. However, the reason was that they were legitimately elected. They decided on a date. All of their friends and family were flown in, and the House abruptly adjourned.
Karl: Well, if she brings in family and friends….
Johnson: No specific date has been set. After we were out of session, she was elected.
Regarding the former Rep. Sentence for George Santos is being commuted.
Karl: How do you interpret that?
Johnson: The president has the constitutional authority to pardon and so forth.
Karl: Undoubtedly so.
Johnson: Of course, commuting as well. We think that people can be saved. This is something I personally believe. Additionally, I sincerely hope that Mr. Dot Santos takes full advantage of his second chance.
Karl: Is it acceptable for him to say something like, “I’m pardoning someone because they always had the courage –“?
Johnson: It isn’t the cause.
Karl: “Intelligence and conviction to always vote Republican?”.
Johnson: Among his numerous remarks about George Santos, that is just a sample of what he said.
Karl: Should that play a role in granting clemency or pardoning someone who votes Republican?
Johnson: I do not believe it was, and I do not believe it was. No, I don’t believe it was. I simply believe he’s discussing this person and his history, and at least he’s being honest and open about it. We never heard anything from Joe Biden. We’re not even certain that he knew who he was pardoning for any of those offenses, to be honest.
How ICE is carrying out its enforcement activities.
Karl: I’d like to play a recent statement made by Joe Rogan, the podcast host, regarding the way this is being done. Hear it out.
Joe Rogan, host of “The Joe Rogan Experience”: It’s scary how it looks. It appears to be when you’re simply making arrests of regular people who have been here for 20 years, alongside their children. That—that is incompatible with everyone with a heart.
Karl: Do you think these ICE raids are going too far, or at least have the potential to go too far?
Johnson: I think everyone understands the optics, but I do think the law is right. The fact that the border was open for four years and that up to 20 million illegal aliens, many of whom were dangerous, hardened criminals, were estimated to have entered the country alarmed the American people, in my opinion.
Karl: You’re seeing people with families who have been in the country for at least 20 years. Those who have American citizens as spouses or children are subject to these rather harsh deportations.
Johnson: In agreement. And nobody enjoys that at all. The dangerous and seasoned criminals have been ICE’s top priority. They have been making successful attempts to apprehend and return them home because there are likely a few million of those, shall we say?
if he is worried about military activities in the Caribbean.
Karl: We have this buildup around Venezuela, so don’t you have questions for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about what’s going on there? These boats are the target of ours. You must at least have some inquiries, after all. I’m aware that we have inquiries.
Johnson: The boats are being targeted? Fentanyl is being brought in by drug cartels in boatloads, which could kill hundreds of thousands of Americans. We’re working to restore –.
Karl: You don’t have any inquiries about their well-being.
