House Minority Leader Criticizes GOP Speaker Nominee as ‘Extreme Right-Wing Ideologue’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has voiced his criticism of Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La), the latest nominee for Speaker from the GOP. During an interview on CNN This Morning, Jeffries expressed concerns about Johnson’s perceived extreme right-wing ideology based on his legislative track record.
While acknowledging that he does not know Johnson well, Jeffries highlighted several issues where he found fault with Johnson’s stance. He specifically mentioned Johnson’s positions on abortion access, Social Security, and Medicare. According to Jeffries, Johnson supports criminalizing abortion care and imposing a nationwide ban, which the Minority Leader considers extreme. Additionally, Jeffries pointed out that Johnson played a prominent role in supporting former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
One key instance mentioned by Jeffries was Johnson’s leadership of an amicus brief in 2020, which was signed by 100 Republicans. The brief supported a Texas lawsuit aiming to invalidate the election results in crucial swing states such as Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Furthermore, Johnson was among the two-thirds of his party who voted against certifying the 2020 election in Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6, 2021.
Jeffries emphasized that House Democrats would vehemently oppose Johnson’s extreme views but also expressed a willingness to work with him if he becomes Speaker. He stated that Democrats are ready to find common ground with Republicans to address the concerns of American taxpayers. If Johnson were to adopt a bipartisan approach, Jeffries indicated that Democrats would be open to cooperation.
Johnson is the fourth nominee for Speaker from the House GOP. Previous contenders included Reps. Steve Scalise (R-La), Jim Jordan (R-La.), and Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). While Jordan failed to secure the necessary votes on the floor and Scalise and Emmer withdrew before floor votes, Johnson’s nomination is currently under scrutiny due to concerns raised by Jeffries.
This criticism from Jeffries is not the first time he has voiced his opposition to a GOP Speaker nominee. When Jim Jordan was tapped as the Speaker-designee, Jeffries called him a clear and present danger to our democracy. Jeffries accused Jordan of wanting to end Social Security and Medicare as they exist today, rejecting President Biden’s legitimate election win, and advocating for a nationwide abortion ban. In Jeffries’ view, Jordan epitomizes the extremism associated with the MAGA movement.
As the Speaker nomination process continues, it remains to be seen how Johnson will respond to the criticism and whether he will adopt a bipartisan approach if selected as Speaker. Democrats have clearly stated their intention to push back against what they perceive as extreme views, while also expressing their openness to working together on issues that benefit the American people. The outcome of this process will shape the dynamics of the House of Representatives moving forward.
