Newly elected Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a fierce response to the recent liberal attacks on his Christian faith.
Johnson, who publicly invoked his Christian faith in God and the Bible since becoming the new speaker, responded to MSNBC host Jen Psaki and HBO host Bill Maher’s attacks on his faith.
“The media wasn’t always so friendly to someone with a Judeo-Christian worldview, and in your case, some of the things that had been said, Politico interviewed a historian about your worldview, and this historian said you’re a Christian nationalist; it comes from that of Christian supremacy,” Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany said to Johnson.
McEnany then quoted Psaki, who labeled Johnson as a Christian “fundamentalist.”
“What do you think when you hear that?” McEnany asked.
“Look, there are entire industries that are built to take down public leaders—effective political leaders like me,” Johnson responded.
“I’m not surprised by that. I mean, it comes with the territory. It doesn’t bother me at all,” he added.
“I just wish they would get to know me,” he continued.
“I’m not trying to establish Christianity as the national religion or something. That’s not what this is about at all.”
Johnson then discussed how the Bible commands us to show peace and love toward all people.
“If you truly believe in the Bible’s commands and seek to follow them, it’s impossible to be a hateful person because the greatest command in the Bible is that you love God with everything you have, and you love your neighbor as yourself,” he said.
Here is the video of Psaki attacking Johnson:
“His views on policy are essentially what you’d expect from a religious fundamentalist — they’re more divisive than divine.”
— Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) October 29, 2023
@jrpsaki on newly elected House speaker Mike Johnson. pic.twitter.com/DQs7uKnTiX
McEnany also referenced the recent attack on Johnson from the Daily Beast, which described him as a “Christo-fascist” who seeks to impose his religion on others like the Taliban and the “mullahs in Iran.”
She also asked Johnson about HBO host Bill Maher comparing him to Maine mass murder suspect.
Johnson called the comparisons “disgusting.”
“That is absurd,” he said.
Watch
Watch more from my interview yesterday with @KayleighMcEnany here: pic.twitter.com/yFNoeQOfHo
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) November 1, 2023
“Of course, our religion is based on love and acceptance. So, to compare that worldview with the Taliban, who seek to destroy their enemies, or with some deranged shooter who murders people, is absolutely outrageous.”
“And I believe that should offend everyone who adheres to and holds to a Judeo-Christian worldview,” he said.
He noted his willingness to face such attacks, saying:
“I’m OK; I’ll take the arrows. I understand it comes with leadership, and when you step into the fray, that’s what you take.”
Johnson said he was more concerned that so many Americans and the ideals that made America great were under attack.
“But what really hurts me is that it really is a statement about everyone who believes in this, that the country was built upon—our Judeo-Christian foundation is the heritage of our country,” Johnson said.
