Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson defended labeling this weekend’s “No Kings” rallies opposing President Donald Trump as “hate America” rallies, arguing that he was not referring to Democrats themselves however the message of the protesters.
“Simply on this notion that these are, ‘hate America’ rallies — and also you not solely talked about anarchists, antifa advocates, pro-Hamas wing — you mentioned that is the fashionable Democratic Celebration,” ABC Information’ “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl requested, referring to feedback Johnson made final week. “However I bear in mind not that way back what you mentioned after the homicide of Charlie Kirk whenever you mentioned that we should always view fellow People, not as our enemies, however as our fellow countrymen.”
“I’ve by no means known as anyone an enemy,” Johnson mentioned, however claimed that “there have been plenty of hateful messages” throughout Saturday’s protests.
“I imply, we’ve video and pictures of fairly violent rhetoric calling out the president, saying fascists should die and all the remainder,” he added. “So it isn’t in regards to the individuals, it is in regards to the message.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Oct. 19, 2025
ABC Information
Pressed by Karl about Johnson likening anarchists, antifa and Hamas to the fashionable Democratic Celebration, Johnson defended his remarks.
“I by no means mentioned it was the entire Democratic Celebration, however you and I’ve to acknowledge the truth,” Johnson mentioned earlier than turning his criticism to New York Metropolis’s Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
“Take a look at what’s taking place in New York. They’re about to elect an open socialist Marxist because the mayor of America’s largest metropolis. There is a rise of Marxism within the Democratic Celebration. It is an goal truth, and nobody can deny it,” he mentioned.
Mamdani has beforehand said he isn’t a “communist,” as Trump has known as him. He identifies as a democratic socialist and has repeatedly claimed that label.
Johnson additionally argued the “No Kings” branding of the nationwide protests was ironic.
“If President Trump was a king, the federal government can be open proper now. If President Trump was a king, they might not have been capable of have interaction in that free speech train out on the (Nationwide) Mall,” he mentioned.
Listed here are extra highlights from Johnson’s interview:
On not but swearing in Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva
Karl: When are you going to swear in Consultant-elect Adelita Grijalva?
Johnson: As quickly as we get again to legislative session, when Chuck Schumer permits us to show the lights again on.
Karl: Why have not you accomplished already?
Johnson: As a result of that is the way in which the establishment works. I am following the Pelosi precedent, by the way in which.
…
Karl: And what in regards to the Johnson precedent? I imply, you swore in two Republicans the day after their election.
Johnson: I am pleased to reply. I am pleased to reply. Pelosi precedent — Pat Ryan. Joe Sempolinski. They have been elected throughout an August recess. So 21 days later, when the Home returned to common legislative session, they have been administered the oath. That is what we’re doing. We’re not in session proper now. Rep. Grijalva was elected after the Home was out of session. As quickly as we returned the legislative session, as quickly because the Democrats determine to show the lights again on so we are able to all get again right here, I’ll administer the oath —
Karl: You could possibly swear in tomorrow, proper?
Johnson: No. Not tomorrow. No, we could not, we would not. There was an exception for 2 Floridians earlier on this Congress. However the cause was they have been duly elected. That they had a date set. They flew in all their family and friends and the Home went out of session unexpectedly.
Karl: So if she flies in family and friends —
Johnson: We do not have a date set. She was elected after we have been out of session.
On former Rep. George Santos’ sentence being commuted
Karl: What do you make of that?
Johnson: The president has the suitable across the Structure for pardon and —
Karl: For positive.
Johnson: And commutation, after all. We consider in redemption. This can be a private perception of mine. And I, you realize, I hope Mr. Santos makes essentially the most of his second probability.
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Karl: Is it OK for him to say, primarily, “I am pardoning somebody as a result of they at all times had the braveness — “
Johnson: That is not the rationale.
Karl: “Conviction and intelligence to at all times vote Republican?”
Johnson: That is one snippet of what he mentioned, amongst many issues about George Santos.
Karl: Ought to that be a think about pardoning someone that they vote Republican — or clemency?
Johnson: No, and I do not assume — I do not assume it was. No, I do not assume it was. I simply assume he is speaking about, this particular person and his previous, and not less than he is open and clear about it. Joe Biden by no means advised us something. And admittedly, we’re not even positive he knew who he is pardoning on any a type of issues.
How ICE is conducting enforcement operations
Karl: I need to play one thing for you that (podcast host) Joe Rogan lately mentioned about how that is being undertaken. Take a hear.
Joe Rogan (host, “The Joe Rogan Expertise”): The best way it seems to be is horrific. It seems to be — whenever you’re simply arresting individuals in entrance of their children and simply regular, common individuals which have been right here for 20 years. That — all people who has a coronary heart cannot get together with that.
Karl: Do you are concerned that these ICE raids are going too far, or not less than — or might go too far?
Johnson: I feel all people is conscious of the optics, however I do consider within the rule of legislation. And I consider the American individuals have been alarmed that the, the, the border was vast open for 4 years, and by many estimates, as many as 20 million unlawful aliens get into the nation, lots of them hardened, harmful criminals —
Karl: What you are seeing individuals which have been within the nation 20 years or extra with which have households. You already know, have Americans as kids, as spouses, which can be going through, you realize, these fairly tough deportations.
Johnson: Yeah. And nobody takes any pleasure in that in any respect. What ICE has prioritized is the harmful, hardened criminals first. And there is in all probability a number of million of these, OK? So they have been making an attempt to spherical them up and ship them again dwelling with nice success.
Whether or not he has issues about army operations within the Caribbean Sea
Karl: Do not you’ve gotten questions for him (Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth) about what’s taking place in Venezuela? We now have this buildup round Venezuela. We now have the, the concentrating on of those boats. I imply, you have to not less than have questions. I do know we’ve questions.
Johnson: The concentrating on of the boats? You will have drug cartels bringing in fentanyl and boatloads of it that will kill doubtlessly a whole lot of hundreds of People. What we’re doing is restoring —
Karl: You haven’t any questions on how they’re doing.
Johnson: No, I consider in peace via power. I feel that the president and the commander-in-chief are accountable for making certain nationwide safety and the protection of the American individuals. And I feel most common sense People have a look at that and say “Thank goodness.”
