Newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) fired back at media attacks over his Christian faith.
In an interview with Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany on Tuesday, she asked Johnson what his response was to the criticism after he was called a “Christian nationalist” by a historian interviewed by Politico for his “Judeo-Christian worldview.”
“Look, there are entire industries that are built to take down public leaders – effective political leaders like me. I’m not surprised by that,” Johnson said.
Additionally, he said it doesn’t “bother” him “at all” as he knows it “comes with the territory.”
“I just wish they would get to know me. I’m not trying to establish Christianity as the national religion or something. That’s not what this is about at all,” he continued.
Furthermore, Johnson emphasized the Bible’s commandment on love.
He shared:
“If you truly believe in the Bible’s commands, and you seek to follow those, it’s impossible to be a hateful person because the greatest command in the Bible is that you love God with everything you had, and you love your neighbor as yourself.”
He also responded to The Daily Beast calling him a “Christo-fascist” and compared him to the Taliban. HBO host Bill Maher compared him to the Maine mass shooter who “heard voices” after killing almost 20 people.
“It’s just disgusting. I mean, that is absurd,” he said.
Johnson stated Christianity was “based on love and acceptance.”
“So, to compare that worldview with the Taliban, who seek to destroy their enemies, or with some deranged shooter who murders people is absolutely outrageous. And I think that everyone who follows and believes in a Judeo-Christian worldview should be just terribly offended by that,” he said.
This came after MSNBC host Jen Psaki and former White House press secretary poked fun at Johnson for his first speech as House Speaker where he said he believes God “raises up those in authority” during her show, “Inside with Jen Psaki,” on Oct. 29.
“During his first speech in his new job, Johnson suggested that his election as speaker was, an act of God. Talk about a bit of a humblebrag there,” she said.
Psaki continued, “So, what exactly has God apparently called on Mike Johnson to do? Well, his views on policy are essentially what you’d expect from a religious fundamentalist. They’re more divisive than they are divine.”