Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Johnson
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mike Johnson made an impact.
Mike Johnson is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 56th Speaker of the House since 2023. A Republican, he has represented Louisiana's 4th congressional district in the House of Representatives since 2017, currently serving his fifth term.
2004: Served on Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
In 2004, Mike Johnson began serving on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
2004: Defended Louisiana Amendment 1
In 2004, Mike Johnson defended Louisiana Amendment 1, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman within the Louisiana Constitution, against legal challenges.
2005: Johnson promotes covenant marriages on Good Morning America
In 2005, Johnson appeared on ABC's Good Morning America to promote covenant marriages, saying, "I'm a big proponent of marriage and fidelity and all the things that go with it".
August 2010: Named "founding dean" of Pressler School of Law
In August 2010, Mike Johnson was named the "founding dean" of the newly established Pressler School of Law at Louisiana College.
August 2012: Resigned from Pressler School of Law
In August 2012, Mike Johnson resigned from his position at the Pressler School of Law at Louisiana College. The law school never opened.
2012: Ended term on Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
In 2012, Mike Johnson completed his service on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
April 2015: Proposed the Marriage and Conscience Act
In April 2015, Mike Johnson proposed the Marriage and Conscience Act in Louisiana, which aimed to protect individuals' and entities' beliefs about marriage. The bill faced criticism and was viewed by some as discriminatory.
May 19, 2015: Marriage and Conscience Act tabled
On May 19, 2015, the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee voted to table Mike Johnson's Marriage and Conscience Act, effectively ending its chances to become law. In response, Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to enforce its intent.
2015: Founded Freedom Guard
In 2015, Mike Johnson founded Freedom Guard, a nonprofit law firm, and served as its chief counsel, engaging in religious liberty litigation. He also represented Ark Encounter in a federal lawsuit.
2015: Elected to Louisiana House of Representatives
In 2015, Mike Johnson was elected to the 8th District seat of the Louisiana House of Representatives after being unopposed.
2015: Professor at Liberty University
Since 2015, Mike Johnson is a professor at Liberty University and teaches classes at its Helms School of Government.
February 10, 2016: Announced Candidacy for 4th Congressional District Seat
On February 10, 2016, Mike Johnson announced his candidacy for the 4th congressional district seat, which had been held for eight years by John Fleming.
September 2016: Summarized legal career
In September 2016, Mike Johnson summarized his legal career as "defending religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and biblical values, including the defense of traditional marriage, and other ideals like these when they've been under assault".
2016: Sermon linking evolution to mass shootings and opposition to medical cannabis expansion
In 2016, Mike Johnson delivered a sermon that attributed mass shootings to the teaching of evolution, claiming it devalues life. Also in 2016, Johnson opposed the expansion of medical cannabis in Louisiana, citing concerns about its potential to worsen certain conditions, especially epilepsy in children.
2016: Opposition to medical cannabis expansion
In 2016, Mike Johnson opposed the expansion of medical cannabis in Louisiana, arguing that cannabis can worsen some conditions, specifically epilepsy, quoting the American Epilepsy Society's studies that it can cause "severe dystonic reactions and other movement disorders, developmental regression, intractable vomiting, and worsening seizures" in children with epilepsy.
2016: Supported movement to amend the Constitution
In 2016, Mike Johnson was a strong proponent of a movement, outlined in Article V of the Constitution, to amend the United States Constitution at a national convention. He helped lead the Louisiana House in formally petitioning Congress to call a "Convention of States" to overhaul the Constitution.
2016: Elected to represent Louisiana's 4th congressional district
In 2016, Mike Johnson was elected to represent Louisiana's 4th congressional district.
January 3, 2017: Sworn into office as a member of Congress
On January 3, 2017, Mike Johnson was sworn into office as a member of Congress.
December 2017: Johnson votes for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
In December 2017, Johnson voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saying it would dramatically strengthen the U.S. economy.
2017: Elected to Congress
In 2017, Mike Johnson began representing Louisiana's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, marking the start of his fifth House term.
2017: Left Louisiana House of Representatives
In 2017, Mike Johnson ended his service in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
2017: Supported Trump's executive order on immigration
In 2017, Mike Johnson supported Trump's executive order to prohibit immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries, stating it was not a ban on any religion but rather an effort to protect the homeland.
2017: Voted for the American Health Care Act
In 2017, Mike Johnson voted for the American Health Care Act, which aimed to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
2017: Johnson argues Roe v. Wade necessitates cuts to social programs
In a 2017 House Judiciary Committee meeting, Johnson argued that Roe v. Wade made it necessary to cut social programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
2017: Johnson and Trump work closely together
Since 2017, Johnson and Trump have worked closely together.
April 2018: Advocacy for student-led prayer in schools
In April 2018, Mike Johnson joined Republican state Attorney General Jeff Landry and Christian actor Kirk Cameron to advocate under the First Amendment for student-led prayer and religious expression in public schools.
2018: Johnson advocates for entitlement reform
In 2018, Johnson said that entitlement reform is his "number one priority".
2018: Won second House term
In 2018, Mike Johnson won a second House term, defeating Democratic nominee Ryan Trundle.
2019: Chaired the Republican Study Committee
From 2019 to 2021, Mike Johnson chaired the Republican Study Committee.
2019: Johnson opposes Raise the Wage Act
In 2019, Johnson opposed the Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour.
2019: Spearheaded effort to replace the ACA
In 2019, as chair of the Republican Study Committee, Mike Johnson led an effort to replace the ACA. The committee's plan involved rescinding the ACA's Medicaid expansion.
2019: Johnson defends Trump during Mueller investigation
In 2019, during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, Johnson defended Trump, saying that Trump had "cooperated fully" with the investigation and "done nothing wrong".
2019: Johnson defends Trump during impeachment
In 2019, during the first impeachment of Donald Trump, Johnson defended Trump and told White House officials to ignore Congressional subpoenas.
February 2020: Visit to Israel
In February 2020, Mike Johnson visited Israel with the 12Tribe Films Foundation.
November 2020: Johnson urges Trump to exhaust legal remedies
In early November 2020, after Joe Biden was favored to win the election, Johnson said he spoke to Trump twice, urging him to "exhaust every available legal remedy" to restore trust in the election system.
November 17, 2020: Johnson alleges voting machines were rigged
On November 17, 2020, Johnson said there was "a lot of merit" to allegations about voting machines being rigged with Dominion software.
December 2020: Johnson leads effort to support Texas v. Pennsylvania
In December 2020, Johnson led an effort in which 126 Republican U.S. representatives signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Johnson argues to reject 2020 election results
In 2020, Johnson's argument was that certain state officials had violated the Constitution by relaxing restrictions on mail-in voting or early voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic without consulting state legislatures.
2020: Co-authored national security report on China trade issues
In 2020, Mike Johnson co-wrote a national security report as the leader of the Republican Study Committee, focusing on China trade issues. The report advocated for stricter sanctions on entities affiliated with the People's Liberation Army and increased trade with countries like Taiwan, Indonesia, and Mongolia to counter China.
2020: Contested the 2020 presidential election results
In 2020, Mike Johnson contested the results of the 2020 presidential election in the House and in court.
2020: Voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results
In 2020, Mike Johnson was among 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
2020: Won third House term
In 2020, Mike Johnson won a third House term with 185,265 votes to Democratic nominee Kenny Houston's 78,157 votes.
January 6, 2021: Johnson votes against commission to investigate January 6 storming
On May 19, 2021, Johnson voted against establishing a national commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, storming of the United States Capitol.
January 2021: Johnson objects to certifying 2020 election results
During the January 2021 United States Electoral College vote count, Johnson was one of 120 U.S. representatives who objected to certifying the 2020 presidential election results from both Arizona and Pennsylvania. The New York Times called Johnson "the most important architect of the Electoral College objections".
May 19, 2021: Johnson votes against commission to investigate January 6 storming
On May 19, 2021, Johnson voted against establishing a national commission to investigate the January 6, 2021, storming of the United States Capitol.
2021: Served as vice chair of the House Republican Conference
From 2021 to 2023, Mike Johnson served as vice chair of the House Republican Conference.
2021: Johnson opposes Raise the Wage Act
In 2021, Johnson again opposed the Raise the Wage Act.
2021: Johnson co-sponsors bills attempting to ban abortion nationwide
In 2021, Johnson co-sponsored bills attempting to ban abortion nationwide, such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children From Late-Term Abortions Act, and the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2021.
2021: Johnson serves on Trump's legal defense team
In 2021, Johnson served as a member of Trump's legal defense team during the Senate impeachment trial.
March 2022: Launched "Truth Be Told" Podcast
Since March 2022, Mike Johnson and his wife have co-hosted the podcast "Truth Be Told", discussing public affairs and other issues from a Christian perspective. Johnson has stated on his podcast that the Word of God is the ultimate source of truth and attributed the success of the United States to its foundation upon a "religious statement of faith".
April 2022: Voted for Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act
In April 2022, Mike Johnson voted for the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, supporting aid to Ukraine.
October 2022: Johnson denies supporting claims of massive fraud in 2020 election
By October 2022, Johnson said that he had never supported claims that there was massive fraud in the 2020 election.
2022: Proposed as a compromise candidate for Speaker of the House
After the 2022 midterm elections, Representative Andy Biggs proposed Mike Johnson as a possible compromise candidate for Speaker of the House instead of Republican Conference leader Kevin McCarthy.
2022: Occasional guest host of Washington Watch
From roughly 2015 to 2022, Mike Johnson was an occasional guest host of Tony Perkins's radio talk show Washington Watch.
2022: Introduced the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act
In 2022, Mike Johnson introduced the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, which would prohibit federally funded institutions from mentioning sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill has been compared to the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as the "Don't Say Gay" law.
2022: Won reelection unopposed
In 2022, Mike Johnson won reelection unopposed.
January 2023: House passes resolution condemning violence against pro-life facilities
In January 2023, the House passed a resolution Johnson introduced that condemned "vandalism, violence, and destruction against pro-life facilities, groups, and churches".
February 2023: Called for transparency on Ukraine aid
In February 2023, Mike Johnson stated that American taxpayers deserved to know if the Ukrainian government was being transparent about the use of over $100 billion in aid.
July 2023: Opposition to gender-affirming care for children
At a July 2023 hearing on transgender youth, Mike Johnson spoke against allowing children to receive gender-affirming care, emphasizing the public interest in protecting children from abuse and harm. He has co-sponsored legislation to make it a felony to provide opposite-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries to minors.
October 3, 2023: Mentioned as potential replacement for Speaker of the House
After Kevin McCarthy was removed from the position of speaker of the House on October 3, 2023, Representative Matt Gaetz floated Mike Johnson's name as a potential replacement.
October 2023: Johnson received $338,125 in donations from the oil and gas industry
As of October 2023, Johnson had received $338,125 in donations from the oil and gas industry during his congressional career.
October 25, 2023: Elected Speaker of the House
On October 25, 2023, Mike Johnson was elected to replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House after McCarthy was ousted from the position.
October 26, 2023: Met with President Joe Biden
On October 26, 2023, Mike Johnson met with President Joe Biden for the first time as speaker before attending a bipartisan briefing held at the White House on funding requests for aid to Ukraine and Israel.
November 2, 2023: House passed Israel aid bill
On November 2, 2023, the House passed a bill supported by Mike Johnson to provide $14.3 billion in aid to Israel.
December 2023: Ukraine aid predicated on border security measures
In December 2023, Mike Johnson stated that aid for Ukraine would be contingent upon new border-security measures.
2023: Legislation to tighten the asylum system
As of 2023, Mike Johnson had introduced legislation three times aimed at tightening the asylum system, including by raising the bar on undocumented immigrants to establish their claim of fear of persecution.
2023: Voted against cannabis decriminalization
As of 2023, Mike Johnson had twice voted against the decriminalization of cannabis.
2023: AIPAC as largest financial donor
In 2023, AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbyist organization, was Mike Johnson's largest financial donor.
2023: Became chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee
In 2023, Mike Johnson became chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government.
2023: Became Speaker of the House
In 2023, Mike Johnson became the 56th speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
2023: Co-sponsored personhood legislation
In 2023, Mike Johnson co-sponsored legislation declaring that human life and personhood begin at conception, with no exception for in-vitro fertilization treatments involving embryos or embryonic stem-cell research.
2023: Introduced bills on China
In 2023, Mike Johnson introduced two bills concerning China: one to ban former members of the United States Congress from lobbying for communist entities, and another to prohibit foreign governments from funding litigation in U.S. courts.
2023: End of term as vice chair of the House Republican Conference
In 2023, Mike Johnson's term as vice chair of the House Republican Conference came to an end.
January 7, 2024: Congressional appropriators reached agreement on topline spending levels
On January 7, 2024, congressional appropriators reached an agreement on the topline spending levels for 2024 that was not substantially different from the deal McCarthy negotiated during his tenure as speaker.
January 2024: Opposed border security and immigration bill
In January 2024, Mike Johnson opposed a bipartisan, Senate Republican-backed border security and immigration bill that would also provide funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bill failed to pass the Senate. He also discussed immigration policy with Trump frequently during border negotiations.
January 2024: Opposed bipartisan border security package with Ukraine aid
In January 2024, Mike Johnson opposed a bipartisan, Senate Republican-sponsored border security package that included aid for Ukraine and other U.S. allies; the bill ultimately failed to pass the Senate.
February 13, 2024: House impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas
On February 13, 2024, the House impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas by a 214–213 vote. The impeachment resolution, championed by Johnson, had been already put up to a vote on February 6, but had failed due to a small Republican rebellion.
March 6, 2024: House passes $459 billion spending package
On March 6, 2024, the House passed a $459 billion spending package. The right-wing Republicans opposed the deal, arguing it contained no substantial conservative policy wins.
March 7, 2024: Clarification on IVF legislation support
On March 7, 2024, Mike Johnson clarified that he does not support federal legislation to protect legal access to IVF, stating he believes it is a state issue. He has expressed that IVF "is a remarkable thing and something we ought to preserve and protect".
April 2024: Johnson puts forward aid package for Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine
In April 2024, Johnson put forward a legislative package providing aid to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine as separate bills. The package also included a bill to force TikTok to divest from ByteDance and the REPO for Ukrainians Act.
April 2024: Criticism of pro-Palestinian protests
In April 2024, Mike Johnson criticized pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. university campuses, emphasizing that Congress would not be silent as Jewish students faced fear and intimidation.
April 2024: $61 billion aid package for Ukraine
In April 2024, Mike Johnson put forward a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine without border-related provisions. It passed in Congress with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Biden. Johnson cited classified briefings on the situation in Ukraine as influential in his decision.
May 8, 2024: Motion to vacate Johnson's speakership introduced
On May 8, 2024, Representative Greene introduced a motion to vacate Johnson's speakership. The House voted to table the motion, allowing Johnson to remain speaker.
May 2024: Johnson says he won't try to pass a nationwide abortion ban
In May 2024, Johnson said he would not try to pass a nationwide abortion ban.
May 2024: Politico reports on Johnson's alignment with Trump
In May 2024, Politico reported that Johnson had aligned himself with former President Trump and fortified his reputation, describing him as an authentic movement conservative who has been successful in isolating his critics.
May 2024: Failed effort to oust him from speakership
In May 2024, an effort to oust Mike Johnson from the speakership failed with two-thirds of the House voting to keep him in office.
May 2024: Thiessen calls Johnson "one of the most consequential House speakers in a generation"
In May 2024, conservative columnist Marc Thiessen wrote in The Washington Post that Johnson has become one of the most consequential and effective House speakers in a generation.
July 2024: Pledged tough policies on China
In July 2024, Mike Johnson promised to pass bills proposing tough policies on China, stating that China poses the greatest threat to global peace.
July 2024: The Wall Street Journal praises Johnson
In July 2024, The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece praising Johnson's speech at the Hudson Institute, saying he is pushing his party in the direction of Ronald Reagan.
November 2024: New policy on bathrooms in U.S. Capitol
In November 2024, Mike Johnson announced a new policy on bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol, reserving single-sex facilities for individuals of that biological sex. The policy was enacted shortly after the election of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.
December 2024: Spoke with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te
In December 2024, Mike Johnson spoke with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te during a stopover in Hawaii.
2024: Johnson endorses Trump's 2024 campaign
In 2024, Johnson endorsed Trump's 2024 campaign for president.
2024: Opposed new warrant requirement for FISA
In 2024, Mike Johnson opposed a new warrant requirement for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), reversing his previous criticism after learning more about the program through classified briefings. He stated that FISA reauthorization was vital to national security.
2024: Won reelection to the House
In 2024, Mike Johnson won reelection to the House with 262,821 votes (86%) to fellow Republican Joshua Morott's 43,427 (14%) votes.
2024: Republicans maintain control of House
In the 2024 elections, Republicans maintained control of the House, flipped control of the U.S. Senate, and won the presidency.
January 3, 2025: Johnson reelected speaker
On January 3, 2025, Johnson was reelected speaker on the first ballot.
March 2025: Criticism of judges blocking Trump administration policies
In March 2025, Mike Johnson criticized federal judges for issuing injunctions against the Trump administration's policies, arguing it violated the separation of powers. He also suggested Congress could eliminate district courts and urged judges to "step back" from interfering with DOGE's attempts to improve governmental efficiency.
2025: Reelected to a full term as speaker
In 2025, Mike Johnson was narrowly reelected to a full term as Speaker of the House.
2025: Trump endorses Johnson's speaker bid
In 2025, Trump endorsed Johnson in his speaker bid, and Johnson secured the speakership only after Trump directly spoke with holdout votes.
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