Mike Johnson Is as Extreme as It Gets | Mother Jones

 

October 26, 2023 The disarray over electing a new House speaker, historically one of the easiest tasks for a majority party, is finally over. But serious questions remain, especially after looking into Mike Johnson's record. That record, as I wrote today, features claims that legalizing gay marriage opens the door for "every deviant group" to seek equal protection, including people who want to marry their pets. Johnson is also staunchly anti-abortion, skeptical of climate change, and a Big Lie architect. In some instances, the Louisiana Republican has merged his extreme views, like when he blamed abortion for forcing Republicans into pushing for cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.  So, while the chaos over the speakership might be done, Johnson's elevation into one of the most powerful perches in US politics should deeply concern you right now. This is a man who has singular authority over what reaches the House floor and committee assignments, an evangelical Christian and MAGA dude second-in-line to the presidency.  That such an extremist enjoyed a relatively low profile before this week also seems worrisome. But I guess that's more a reflection of how abhorrent the GOP has become over the last decade. What's extremist to one is simply par for the course for another. Or, in our case, the newest House speaker. —Inae Oh

Mike Johnson Is as Extreme as It Gets With biographical details outlining the contours of MAGA Republicans at their worst, Johnson now wields immense power over what reaches the House floor. BY INAE OH