Did Republicans get an extra shot of Vitamin C with their Metamucil?
If Tuesday night’s press conference is any indicator, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who just became the fourth Republican nominee for Speaker this month, has some energy behind his bid.
Johnson had just offered up a speech about party unity when an ABC News reporter confronted him about his role in “the effort to overturn the 2020 election result.”
The question prompted immediate united pushback from GOP lawmakers who flanked their new Speaker-Designate.
The reporter’s question was quickly met with hearty booing and laughter while Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) can be heard hilariously firing back, “Shut up!”
Gotta like that energy.
REPORTER: “You helped lead the effort to overturn the 2020 election results, do you—”
Republican Members of Congress: *Boos* Shut Up
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 25, 2023
RELATED: ‘It’s Over, I Killed Him’: Trump Brags About Sinking ‘RINO’ Tom Emmer’s Bid For Speaker
Republicans Optimistic About Mike Johnson for Speaker
Johnson became the latest nominee for Speaker after Representative Tom Emmer (R-MN) had his campaign torpedoed by former President Donald Trump.
Prior to that Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH) were unable to secure enough support for their respective bids.
Along with their unity in smoking the ABC reporter, chants of “Mike” erupted among GOP lawmakers following his victory in a closed-door vote.
House Republicans Erupt Into Chants Of ‘Mike’ After Selecting Mike Johnson As Speaker Designee pic.twitter.com/YI7ZhGSFy3
— 1776 (@TheWakeninq) October 25, 2023
Fox News is reporting that Republicans seem optimistic about Johnson’s prospects, saying that they are “finally on the same page and ready to unite under (his) leadership.”
“Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system,” he told reporters. “This conference that you see, this House Republican majority, is united.”
“We’re going to serve the people of this country,” he added. “We’re going to restore their faith in this Congress, this institution of government.”
Last night after being elected candidate for Speaker, Congressman Mike Johnson asked the Republican conference to bow their heads and join him in prayer.
We need more leaders like this in DC ?? pic.twitter.com/Ja05Bbj6IS
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 25, 2023
RELATED: Rep. Mike Johnson Offers Nancy Pelosi Some Fancy Souvenir Acquittal Pens
Trump ‘Strongly Suggests’ Choosing Johnson
The ABC News reporter in question, Rachel Scott, took to social media to complain about the response she received from GOP lawmakers.
“I asked Mike Johnson if he stands by his efforts to try to overturn the 2020 election. Members started boo’ing,” she wrote on X. “I also asked if he would support more aid to Ukraine and Israel. ‘Go away! Go away!’ one member shouted.”
I asked the Mike Johnson if he stands by his efforts to try to overturn the 2020 election.
Members started boo’ing.
I also asked if he would support more aid to Ukraine and Irael.
“Go away! Go away!” one member shouted.
“We’re not doing any policy tonight,” Johnson said.
— Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) October 25, 2023
Yes, and when you do go away, maybe ask Democrats for the first time about their efforts to overturn the election in 2016 either by actually objecting 11 times to certifying the results of the presidential contest, or through selective leaking of the Russia collusion hoax for years afterward.
Hell, you could actually ask the same question to election denier Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who is quite literally the Democrat nominee for the same position as Johnson.
The more we learn about 2016 election the more ILLEGITIMATE it becomes. America deserves to know whether we have a FAKE President in the Oval Office #RussianInterference https://t.co/x3BHO5CPIm
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) February 16, 2018
Trump said that he would not endorse Johnson or any of the other candidates earning votes for Speaker going forward, but did make a “strong SUGGESTION … to go with the leading candidate.”
Former President Donald Trump weighs in again this morning on the speaker race: “My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST! LOVE, DJT” pic.twitter.com/YhRQ5PF2TV
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 25, 2023
Johnson, like Trump, does have some fire in him and a solid sense of humor.
The Speaker-Designate accused former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of committing a “felony” when she famously ripped up Trump’s State of the Union speech.
FLASHBACK: Based new GOP Speaker Designate Mike Johnson calls for Nancy Pelosi to be charged after ripping Trump’s State of the Union speech in half:
“She committed a felony when she ripped that paper up.”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 25, 2023
Johnson also, having served as a member of President Trump’s impeachment defense team, amusingly trolled Pelosi by offering her souvenir “acquittal pens” after the Senate voted “not guilty” on articles of impeachment in 2020.
Just in case Speaker Pelosi is too torn up to hand out acquittal pens, I went ahead and picked some up for our exceptional #impeachment defense team. @Jim_Jordan @RepDLesko @RepRatcliffe @RepStefanik @RepMarkMeadows @RepLeeZeldin @RepDougCollins pic.twitter.com/dSybiT6l6d
— Rep. Mike Johnson (@RepMikeJohnson) February 5, 2020
The House is scheduled to vote for Speaker just after noon today.
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