Mike Johnson, a Republican hailing from Louisiana, has assumed the role of Speaker of the House, marking a significant shift in leadership dynamics and political direction.
"@RepMikeJohnson is going to be the next speaker of the house," tweeted a supporter.
Elated by the news, many are anticipating the impact of Johnson's new role. However, his rise to power has drawn criticism and put his views on LGBTQ rights under intense scrutiny.
The unexpected rise of fourth-term Rep. Mike Johnson from Louisiana to the position of Speaker of the House on Wednesday quickly drew harsh criticism and put his views on LGBTQ rights under intense scrutiny, according to NBC article. Kelley Robinson, who heads the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, expressed concerns that Johnson might become "the most anti-equality" speaker in U.S. history. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, one of the few openly gay members of Congress, subtly referenced Johnson's stance on LGBTQ issues during the speaker vote on the House floor by celebrating her wedding anniversary and voting for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.
The Louisiana Republican and constitutional lawyer is a devout evangelical Christian who has openly discussed his religious beliefs throughout his political career, according to ABC article. His new position as speaker, and being next in line for presidential succession, has brought fresh attention to how these beliefs might influence his stance on prominent culture war topics like abortion and LGBTQ rights. Johnson, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump and a proponent of unproven claims regarding the 2020 election, once revealed to a Baptist newspaper during his 2016 congressional campaign, "I'm a dedicated Christian, and my faith serves as the foundation for all my actions," Johnson said in ABC article.
Furthermore, Johnson played a prominent role in submitting a legal brief as part of a lawsuit aiming to invalidate Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election, according to PBS. This particular claim, which faced widespread criticism from legal scholars across the political spectrum, was swiftly dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court. After the 2020 election, Johnson also endorsed some of the more far-fetched conspiracy theories promoted by then-President Donald Trump as attempts to discredit his electoral loss. Johnson cast his vote against the certification of Biden's victory, even in the aftermath of the January 6th assault on the Capitol.
As Mike Johnson assumes the role of Speaker of the House, his views and actions will undoubtedly shape the political landscape and impact various issues, particularly those related to LGBTQ rights and the culture war.
Alerts Sign-up