Mike Johnson’s involvement in the Texas lawsuit aimed at overturning the 2020 election results and his support for objections to President Biden’s selection certification on January 6, 2021, hint at a deeper connection to the Trump agenda. These actions played a foundational role in the violent events that unfolded at the Capitol.
The key question arises: Is Mike Johnson merely a MAGA puppet, and is his Speakership tantamount to Trump being a “Shadow Speaker”? The answer to this question is not as far-fetched as it might seem.
It’s crucial to note that Johnson’s election as Speaker lacked support from Democrats, indicating a shift towards extremism within the Republican Party. His alignment with Trump’s positions and rhetoric further reinforces this concern.
What’s even more alarming is Johnson’s stance on various issues. He has expressed support for the controversial “white replacement theory” and used inflammatory language when discussing migrants, creating potential harm to marginalized communities.
Additionally, Johnson’s advocacy for a national federal abortion ban goes beyond the mainstream even within his party. While Trump has distanced himself from certain extreme positions, Johnson proudly claims responsibility for the appointment of conservative justices who contributed to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Moreover, Speaker Johnson has made a questionable link between women’s unborn children and the Republican party’s perceived obligations to cut social programs like Social Security and Medicare. This connection seems not only irrational but also out of touch with the broader public’s sentiments, as these programs enjoy widespread support.
Johnson’s track record reveals his support for significant cuts to critical programs, including $2 trillion for Medicare, $3 trillion for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and $750 billion for Social Security. These substantial cuts diverge from the desires of the American people, but it’s important to remember that Trump also endorsed such reductions and attempted to repeal the ACA.
On top of these concerning positions, Speaker Johnson holds an extreme anti-LGBTQ record, advocating for anti-sodomy laws, criticizing the decriminalization of sexual relations between same-sex partners, and describing homosexuality as unnatural. This aligns with the Trump Administration’s efforts to weaken LGBTQ protections.
In many aspects, Speaker Johnson appears poised to advance Trump’s agenda, potentially jeopardizing the country’s well-being. While former Speaker Kevin McCarthy had a brief moment of truth regarding Trump’s responsibility for the Capitol attacks, Johnson has not shown such an inclination.
As the possibility of a contested 2024 election looms, Speaker Johnson’s past record raises concerns about the future of American democracy. However, he now has a unique opportunity to prove his critics wrong, including Democrats who doubt his ability to govern independently of the MAGA wing and the influence of a “Shadow Speaker.” It will take more than eloquent words to demonstrate his worthiness of the Speaker title.