Speaker Mike Johnson opposes democratic values in every aspect. He actively denied the election results and played a significant role in promoting the falsehoods surrounding it.
Furthermore, he holds strong anti-LGBTQ views. His stance against democracy is so pronounced that it would leave you astounded.
Additionally, Speaker Mike Johnson consistently undermines the principles of transparency and accountability, further eroding the foundation of democracy. His actions and beliefs reveal a deep-seated hostility towards inclusivity and equal rights for all individuals. It is evident that he is a vocal advocate for divisive rhetoric and policies that are detrimental to the democratic process.
Speaker Mike Johnson consistently demonstrates a disregard for democratic values, evident through his denial of election results and propagation of misinformation. His anti-LGBTQ views further underscore his opposition to inclusivity and equal rights. This outspoken hostility towards democracy is truly astonishing. Moreover, his consistent undermining of transparency and accountability erodes the very foundations of democratic governance. It is clear that Speaker Mike Johnson’s divisive rhetoric and policies pose a significant threat to the democratic process.
His actions and beliefs reveal a deep-seated hostility towards inclusivity and equal rights for all individuals. It is evident that he is a vocal advocate for divisive rhetoric and policies that are detrimental to the democratic process. Speaker Mike Johnson consistently demonstrates a disregard for democratic values, evident through his denial of election results and propagation of misinformation. His anti-LGBTQ views further underscore his opposition to inclusivity and equal rights. This outspoken hostility towards democracy is truly astonishing. Moreover, his consistent undermining of transparency and accountability erodes the very foundations of democratic governance. It is clear that Speaker Mike Johnson’s divisive rhetoric and policies pose a significant threat to the democratic process.
From Media Matters:
Johnson has a long history of anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion extremism, including working as senior legal counsel for the extreme anti-LGBTQ legal group Alliance Defending Freedom. (The group was formerly known as the Alliance Defense Fund.)
Since entering Congress, Johnson has introduced a federal version of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which would eliminate federal funding for libraries, schools, and other organizations that discussed aspects of gay and trans identities. In July, he argued against parents having access to gender-affirming care for their children, falsely claiming it constituted “abuse and physical harm.” As a member of the Louisiana legislature, he introduced a bill that could have permitted de facto discrimination against gay couples, including allowing landlords to deny rental applications or employers to fire someone in a same-sex relationship. A recent CNN report reveals that Johnson wrote op-eds in which he called homosexuality a “inherently unnatural” and “dangerous lifestyle,” and called for the criminalization of gay sex.
Johnson has also co-sponsored a bill that would ban abortion nationwide and sued Kentucky for religious discrimination on behalf of Ark Encounter, a creationist theme park. But major U.S. news outlets largely ignored Johnson’s record of anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion positions following his nomination as the GOP House speaker-designate.
Here’s a rundown of mainstream media coverage leading up to today’s vote:
- At least two stories in The Wall Street Journal failed to mention Johnson’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election or his anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion positions, instead noting obliquely that he is “known for conservative stances on cultural issues and spending.” A podcast from the Journal also failed to include any of that information.
- One article from The New York Times also failed to include any of those details.
- Another Times piece included Johnson’s role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The piece referred to him twice as a “social conservative,” and informed readers that he had “sponsored legislation that would effectively bar the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity at any institution serving children younger than 10 that receives federal funds.” The story didn’t mention Johnson’s anti-abortion positions or his anti-same-sex marriage stance, but did mention Emmer’s support for marriage equality.
- An Associated Press article mentioned Johnson’s work to reverse the 2020 election but didn’t include his anti-LGBTQ or anti-abortion stances. Instead, AP characterized Johnson as “deeply religious … with a fiery belief system.” Another AP article included Emmer’s support for federal same-sex marriage equality, but failed to mention Johnson’s opposition to it.
- One Washington Post story mentioned Johnson’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, but failed to mention his opposition to marriage equality. The story did mention Emmer’s vote to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and therefore enshrine federal marriage rights for same-sex couples. The Post referred to Johnson as having a “staunchly conservative streak” but didn’t make his anti-LGBTQ positions explicit.
- A Washington Post analysis and listicle both mentioned Johnson’s role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election as well as his anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion stances.
- A USA Today story noted that Johnson didn’t vote to certify the 2020 election but failed to mention his authoring of the Texas amicus brief or his anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ positions.
Mainstream outlets have focused much of their attention on the backroom drama engulfing the House Republican Caucus. That’s understandable enough, but it’s a disservice to readers to exclude Johnson’s well-documented history of pushing extreme anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion policies and laws.
