In a swift response to the election of Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., as the new speaker of the House, President Joe Biden's reelection campaign issued a statement asserting that Johnson's ascent solidified the so-called MAGA takeover within the House Republican ranks.
"MAGA Mike Johnson's ascension to the speakership cements the extreme MAGA takeover of the House Republican conference. Now Donald Trump has his loyal foot soldier to ban abortion nationwide, lead efforts to deny free and fair election results, gut Social Security and Medicare, and advance the extreme MAGA agenda at the expense of middle-class families," stated Ammar Moussa, spokesperson for the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign, reported The Hill.
The campaign stressed the Nov. 17 government funding deadline and the White House's $100 billion national security request for Israel and Ukraine.
It also highlighted Johnson's 2020 election challenge, raising concerns due to its proximity to the 2024 election.
"[Extreme] MAGA House Republicans elevated a man to be second in line to the presidency who still won't admit President Biden won the 2020 election. The American people have rejected the extreme MAGA ideology at the ballot box because they understand what's at stake," Moussa said. "And so, to every MAGA Republican who supported this choice: We'll see you in November."
Johnson backed Trump's 2020 election fraud claims and led a brief, supported by 100 House Republicans, endorsing a Texas lawsuit to overturn results in key states: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Before becoming speaker, Johnson had held the position of House GOP's vice chairman since 2021. He also served as the former chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House.
Johnson's voting record also faced scrutiny, being 1 of 57 Republicans voting against a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine and 1 of 117 Republicans opposing a stand-alone $300 million aid bill for Ukraine.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., criticized Johnson's stances on crucial issues like abortion access, Social Security, and Medicare. He accused Johnson of seeking to "criminalize abortion care and impose a nationwide ban."
Despite their political differences, The Hill reported that Biden made a congratulatory call to Johnson on Wednesday afternoon. During the conversation, Biden expressed his eagerness to collaborate and find "common ground on behalf of the American people."
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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