After a 22-day-long speakerless clown show, the Republican Chaos Conference unanimously elected Congressman Mike Johnson as speaker of the House – architect of Trump’s Big Lie, anti-abortion extremist, Trump footsoldier, and former Republican Study Committee chairman and hellbent on slashing Social Security and Medicare. 

Here’s what they’re saying about MAGA Mike Johnson’s extreme record: 

Mike Johnson was a leader in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and is one of the top election deniers in Congress.

Ali Vitali, MSNBC: We know that Mike Johnson was one of those pushing to overturn the 2020 election results. One person described him to me as, ‘Jim Jordan with a jacket and a smile’

Wolf Blitzer, CNN: Mike Johnson was one of the leaders in decertifying the election results

David Chalian, CNN: He was an architect. He was the chief whip for Donald Trump in getting Republicans to sign on

Matt Gertz, Media Matters: “While Trumpists rioters occupied the Capitol on Jan. 6, Fox News interviewed Rep. Mike Johnson from an undisclosed location. He claimed to have been taking ‘methodical steps’ that are ‘nothing unusual’ to object to the 2020 electoral votes when the rioters stormed the building.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries: “The twice-impeached former president ordered House Republicans to stop Tom Emmer and elevate a top election denier.

Is anyone surprised that they complied?”

Greg Sargent: “People are digging up quotes of Mike Johnson pushing vote-fraud lies. But what makes Johnson really scary is how polished he is in creating plausible sounding legal arguments, not his dabbling in Rudy inky-forehead conspiracy nuttiness. 

He’s not Vulgar MAGA. He’s Refined MAGA.”

Rep. Adam Schiff: “You might be Googling who Mike Johnson is this morning.

Let me make it simple:

Johnson is a hard-right, pro-Trump, leading election denier in the House. 

Sadly, this is what passes for Speaker material in the Republican conference.”

Rep. Pete Aguilar: “I’m proud to nominate Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker again.

Mike Johnson is anti-choice, pro-insurrection, and completely out of touch with what Americans want.

America deserves better than this.” 

Rep. Mike Levin: “As House Republicans support Mike Johnson today, we must spread the word about his extremism.

Johnson has been called “Trump’s Perfect Speaker” after his efforts to help overturn the 2020 election.

We must take back the House next year.

Everything is at stake.” 

Mike Johnson is a MAGA extremist with a long history of attacking LGBTQ+ rights, championing national abortion bans, and working to cut Social Security and Medicare.

Jennifer Bendery, HuffPost: “Mike Johnson has a very, very long history of attacking LGBTQ rights.”

Democratic Women’s Caucus: “Rep. Mike Johnson said doctors who give abortion care should be ‘imprisoned at hard labor.’

This is the person House Republicans have chosen as their candidate for Speaker.”

Jesse Ferguson: “MIKE JOHNSON. Quick Rundown…

-An architect of scheme to overturn 2020 election

-He wants to ban abortion

-He wants to take away gay marriage

-He only wants tax cuts for corporations

-He wants higher drug profits for drug companies

-He opposes contraception

-Opposes interracial marriage

-Opposes Violence Against Women Act

-Against Health Care for Veterans exposed to toxins

-Against Roads/Bridges (infrastructure)

-Member of the GOP’s “wacko and weirdo” caucus (aka Freedom Caucus)

…and much more.

#DisqualifiedExtremist”

Rep. Katherine Clark: “House Republicans have learned nothing from their three-week civil war.

Mike Johnson wants to criminalize abortion everywhere and degrade democracy for everyone.

They reject reasonable bipartisanship and celebrate MAGA fealty.”

Rep. Jason Crow: “The House is about to vote on a Speaker for the 19th time in 10 months. Who is Mike Johnson?

1. Hard-right extremist who voted to overturn the 2020 election 

2. Called Jan 6 a “legitimate protest”

3. Fought to ban abortion nationwide 

4. Believes man-made climate change is a hoax

An extremist election denier shouldn’t be Speaker of the House.” 

Rep. Jamie Raskin: “Speaker Mike Johnson? Anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, anti-gun safety, anti-democracy.

This is what theocracy looks like.” 

Rep. Chris Deluzio: “Republican Speaker Designee Mike Johnson voted against the PACT Act—a law that provides care to my fellow veterans who were exposed to burn pits in places like Iraq & Afghanistan. That vote is a betrayal to every veteran, and this is who Republicans want to lead them? Pathetic.” 

Rep. Andy Kim: “Many of you are asking ‘who is Mike Johnson?’ What I remember most is that when the Supreme Court overturned a woman’s right to choose, Mike Johnson said it was a ‘joyous day.’ He is not fit to lead our House and I will strongly oppose his nomination.” 

Rep. Jasmine Crockett: “House Republicans just elected Mike Johnson as Speaker…

Just like Marjorie Taylor Greene & Lauren Boebert, he’s a MAGA extremist who led the effort to overturn the 2020 election, wrote a bill to criminalize abortion, and authored a budget to slash Social Security and Medicare.”

Rep. Pat Ryan: “You’ve probably never heard of Mike Johnson. I serve with him on the Armed Services Committee, and he’s as extreme and far-right as they come:

-Helped mastermind Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 election

-Supports a nationwide abortion ban

-Advocates to cut Social Security and Medicare

-Opposes gay marriage

-Voted against healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits”