Former White House press secretary and current MSNBC host Jen Psaki criticized newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson for being a “religious fundamentalist.”
Describing Johnson’s support for Trump, Psaki said, “Apparently there is still a place in the Republican Party for extreme Christian Conservatism.”
“First glance, Mike Johnson does seem fine,” Psaki said. “Fine-ish. Conservative, yes. But he once started a civility caucus with a Democrat. And I mean, if nothing else, he wears a suit and has glasses.”
“How threatening can this guy actually be?”
She then played a clip of Johnson describing himself as a “Bible-believing Christian.”
Johnson explained in the clip, “Someone asked me today in the media, they said, ‘Well, it’s curious. People are curious, what does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun?’ I said, ‘Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That’s my worldview.’”
Psaki told the audience, “The Bible doesn’t just inform [Johnson’s] worldview, it is his worldview.”
The host then slammed his various conservative actions, including his work for the Alliance Defending Freedom, Johnson’s criticism of gay marriage-affirming policies, and others.
“It’s hard not to think that Mike Johnson’s idea about what America should be is drastically out of line with what America actually is,” Psaki challenged.
She added, “The problem with Johnson isn’t about his faith. He’s entitled to his personal beliefs, as everyone is…But when those beliefs encroach on the rights of others, that’s when it becomes dangerous.”
In his first speech as Speaker of the House, Johnson said, “I want to tell all my colleagues here what I told the Republicans in that room last night; I don’t believe there are any coincidences in a matter like this.”
“I believe that Scripture, the Bible, is very clear that God is the one that raises up those in authority,” he continued. “He raised up each of you, all of us, and I believe that God has ordained and allowed each one of us to be brought here for this specific moment in this time.”
“This is my belief. I believe that each one of us has a huge responsibility today to use the gifts that God has given us to serve the extraordinary people of this great country — and they deserve it — and to ensure that our republic remains standing as the great beacon of light and hope and freedom in a world that desperately needs it.”
