Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mike Johnson

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mike Johnson.

Mike Johnson is an American politician and lawyer currently serving 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, now in his fifth term.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2003: Opposition to Lawrence v. Texas

In 2003, Mike Johnson opposed the U.S. Supreme Court decision Lawrence v. Texas, which invalidated most criminal punishments for private sexual conduct between consenting adults. Johnson's employer at the time, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), supported maintaining criminalization.

2003: Article on Homosexuality and Equal Protection

In a 2003 article, Mike Johnson wrote that homosexuals do not meet the criteria for a suspect class under the equal protection clause and that legalizing same-sex marriage could jeopardize the country's democratic system.

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: Campaign Against GLSEN's Day of Silence

In 2005, Mike Johnson campaigned against GLSEN's annual anti-bullying Day of Silence, arguing it promotes homosexuality.

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, drawing both support and criticism.

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 of becoming law.

2015: Comments on School Shootings and Abortion

In 2015, Johnson blamed abortions and the "breakup [of] the nuclear family" for school shootings, asserting that devaluing life leads to such violence. In 2015 and 2016, he also led an anti-abortion "Life March" in Shreveport-Bossier City.

2015: Criticism of Donald Trump

In 2015, Johnson wrote on Facebook that "Donald Trump ... lacks the character and the moral center we desperately need again in the White House".

2015: Featured at Purity Ball

In 2015, Mike Johnson and his then 13-year-old daughter Hannah were featured in a German television story about the purity movement, attending a purity ball.

2016: Johnson leads "Life March" in Shreveport-Bossier City

In 2015 and 2016, Mike Johnson led an anti-abortion "Life March" in Shreveport-Bossier City.

2016: Sermon Linking Evolution to Mass Shootings

In 2016, Mike Johnson delivered a sermon connecting the teaching of evolution to mass shootings, claiming it promotes a lack of moral values and survival of the fittest mentality.

2016: Opposition to Expansion of Medical Cannabis in Louisiana

In 2016, Mike Johnson opposed the expansion of medical cannabis in Louisiana, citing potential adverse effects, especially for children with epilepsy.

2017: Views on Climate Change

During a town hall in 2017, Johnson acknowledged that Earth's climate was changing, but he questioned the scientific consensus that climate change is caused by humans.

2017: Arguments against Roe v. Wade

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 because abortion reduced the labor force and thus damaged the economy.

November 2020: Johnson Urges Trump to Pursue Legal Remedies

In early November 2020, after the 2020 United States presidential election was called in favor of Joe Biden, Johnson said he spoke to Trump twice. He urged Trump to "exhaust every available legal remedy" and was heartened by Trump's intention to ensure "that all instances of fraud and illegality are investigated and prosecuted".

November 17, 2020: Allegations about Voting Machines

On November 17, 2020, Johnson voiced support for allegations about voting machines being rigged by Dominion software linked to Hugo Chávez's Venezuela, echoing Trump's claims of a rigged election.

December 2020: Support for Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Johnson spearheaded an effort involving 126 Republican U.S. representatives who signed an amicus brief backing Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election results, but the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

2020: Johnson argues to reject the results of the 2020 election

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: Contested the 2020 Presidential Election

In 2020, Mike Johnson contested the results of the 2020 presidential election both on the House floor and in court.

2020: Voted to Overturn 2020 Presidential Election Results

In 2020, Mike Johnson was among 147 Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

January 2021: Objection to Electoral College Vote Count

During the January 2021 United States Electoral College vote count, Johnson was among the U.S. representatives who objected to certifying the 2020 presidential election results from Arizona and Pennsylvania. Johnson argued to reject the results based on "constitutional infirmity".

May 19, 2021: Vote Against January 6 Commission

On May 19, 2021, Johnson and other Republican House leaders voted against establishing a national commission to investigate the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

2021: Co-sponsoring Bills to Ban Abortion

In 2021, Johnson co-sponsored bills such as the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2021 attempting to ban abortion nationwide, which would impose criminal penalties, including potential prison terms, on doctors who perform abortions.

October 2022: Johnson retracts claims of massive election fraud

By October 2022, Johnson stated that he had never supported claims that there was massive fraud in the 2020 election.

2022: Introduction of Stop the Sexualization of Children Act

In 2022, Mike Johnson introduced the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, which aimed to prohibit federally funded institutions from mentioning sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill has been compared to Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.

July 2023: Opposition to Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Youth

At a July 2023 hearing on transgender youth, Mike Johnson spoke against allowing children to receive gender-affirming care, emphasizing the protection of children from abuse and harm. He has also co-sponsored legislation that would make it a felony to provide opposite-sex hormones or gender-affirming surgeries to minors.

October 2023: Donations from 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.

2023: CNN Article on Anti-Gay Language

In 2023, Andrew Kaczynski of CNN wrote that Mike Johnson "has a history of harsh anti-gay language from his time as an attorney for a socially conservative legal group in the mid-2000s".

2023: Co-sponsored legislation on personhood at conception

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.

March 7, 2024: Clarification on IVF stance

On March 7, 2024, Mike Johnson clarified that he does not support federal legislation to protect legal access to IVF, saying he believes it is a state issue, while maintaining that IVF "is a remarkable thing and something we ought to preserve and protect".

April 2024: Criticism of pro-Palestinian protests on US university campuses

In April 2024, Mike Johnson criticized pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. university campuses, stating his determination to ensure Congress addresses the safety concerns of Jewish students.

November 2024: New Bathroom Policy in U.S. Capitol

In November 2024, Mike Johnson announced a new policy regarding bathroom access 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.

March 2025: Criticism of Federal Judges' Injunctions Against Trump Administration Policies

In March 2025, Mike Johnson criticized federal judges for issuing injunctions against the Trump administration's policies, calling it a "dangerous trend" that violates the separation of powers. He also suggested Congress had the power to eliminate entire district courts.

2025: Support for Trump's Use of National Guard

In May 2025, Johnson supported Trump's use of the National Guard and Marines to quell the Los Angeles protests, adding that California governor Gavin Newsom ought to be "tarred and feathered".