MAGA House Speaker Mike Johnson played a key role in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was one of the leading advocates in Congress for objecting to the counting of electoral votes from multiple states won by Biden. He also circulated an amicus brief signed by more than 100 Republican lawmakers in support of a Texas lawsuit that sought to overturn the election results in four swing states.
On the day of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, Johnson gave a speech in support of the objections, arguing that there were widespread irregularities in the election. He also falsely claimed that the election had been stolen from Trump. After the attack, Johnson condemned the violence but continued to defend his decision to object to the electoral votes. He has also repeatedly dismissed the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack as a partisan witch hunt.
Johnson’s ties to January 6th have raised concerns among some Democrats and Republicans alike. They argue that his role in the effort to overturn the election results makes him unfit to serve as Speaker of the House. In a recent interview with NBC News, Johnson defended his actions, saying that he was simply trying to uphold the Constitution and protect the integrity of the election. However, he has been unable to provide any evidence to support his claims of widespread irregularities.
Johnson’s Role in the Effort to Overturn the Election
Johnson’s involvement in the effort to overturn the election began shortly after Trump’s loss. In November 2020, he signed a letter to state legislatures urging them to send alternate slates of electors to Congress in case of any legal challenges to the election results.
Johnson also played a key role in developing the legal arguments that were used to justify the objections to the electoral votes on January 6th. He argued that states had violated the Constitution by changing their voting laws in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also claimed that there had been widespread voter fraud, but he was unable to provide any evidence to support his claims.
The January 6th Attack
On January 6th, Johnson gave a speech in support of the objections to the electoral votes. He repeated his claims of widespread irregularities and voter fraud, and he urged his colleagues to vote to reject the results of the election. After the rioters stormed the Capitol, Johnson condemned the violence but continued to defend his decision to object to the electoral votes. He said that he had been “trying to uphold the Constitution” and that he “would do it again.”
Johnson’s Legacy
Johnson’s role in the effort to overturn the 2020 election results has made him a controversial figure. His supporters praise him for his willingness to stand up for what he believes in, while his critics accuse him of undermining democracy and inciting the violence on January 6th. It is still too early to say what Johnson’s legacy will be. However, there is no doubt that he played a significant role in one of the most consequential events in American history.
The Ongoing Threat to Democracy
Johnson’s election as Speaker of the House is a sign of the continued grip that Trump has on the Republican Party. It is also a reminder of the ongoing threat to democracy in the United States. The January 6th attack was an attempt to subvert the will of the people and overturn the results of a free and fair election. It is important to remember what happened on that day and to fight against those who would seek to undermine our democracy.
Mike Johnson is a complex and controversial figure. He is a skilled lawyer and a passionate advocate for his beliefs. However, he has also shown a willingness to spread misinformation and to challenge the legitimacy of our democratic institutions. Johnson’s role in the effort to overturn the 2020 election results should serve as a warning to us all. We must be vigilant in defending our democracy and in holding those accountable who would seek to undermine it.
Photo by Tom Williams
