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 since 2017. He is in his fifth term in the House.

Sections (6)

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

2003: Opposed Supreme Court decision Lawrence v. Texas

In 2003, Mike Johnson opposed the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas, which ruled that criminal punishment of private sexual conduct between consenting adults is unconstitutional. He wrote that "States have many legitimate grounds to proscribe same-sex deviate sexual intercourse."

2003: Wrote article opposing same-sex marriage

In a 2003 article, Mike Johnson wrote that legalizing same-sex marriage could jeopardize the country's "entire democratic system". He also stated that homosexuals are capable of changing their "abnormal lifestyles".

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: Campained against GLSEN's Day of Silence

In 2005, Mike Johnson campaigned against GLSEN's annual anti-bullying Day of Silence, stating that it was "cloaking their real message—that homosexuality is good for society".

April 2015: Proposed Marriage and Conscience Act

In April 2015, Mike Johnson proposed the Marriage and Conscience Act in Louisiana, which aimed to protect individuals and entities with beliefs about marriage. The bill was criticized as discriminatory, and faced opposition from various groups and politicians.

2015: Johnson Blames Abortions for School Shootings

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

2016: Johnson Leads Anti-Abortion "Life March"

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

2016: Delivered sermon linking evolution to mass shootings

In 2016, Mike Johnson delivered a sermon that connected the teaching of evolution to the causes of mass shootings, arguing that it devalues the sanctity of life.

2016: Opposed expansion of medical marijuana in Louisiana

In 2016, Mike Johnson opposed the expansion of medical marijuana in Louisiana, citing the American Epilepsy Society's studies that medical marijuana can worsen some conditions like epilepsy.

2017: Johnson Questions Scientific Consensus on Climate Change

During a town hall in 2017, Johnson stated that he believed that Earth's climate was changing but questioned the scientific consensus that human activity causes climate change.

2017: Johnson Argues Roe v. Wade Requires Cutting Social Programs

In 2017, during a House Judiciary Committee meeting, Johnson argued that Roe v. Wade necessitated cutting social programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid due to the perceived economic impact of abortion on the labor force.

November 2020: Johnson Urges Trump to Pursue Legal Remedies in 2020 Election

In early November 2020, after the 2020 United States presidential election was called in favor of Joe Biden, Johnson stated that he spoke to Trump twice, urging him to exhaust every available legal remedy to restore Americans' trust in the fairness of the election system and ensure that all instances of fraud and illegality are investigated and prosecuted.

November 17, 2020: Johnson Claims Dominion Voting Machines Rigged

On November 17, 2020, Johnson claimed that Dominion voting machines were rigged with software from Hugo Chávez's Venezuela. By October 2022, he stated that he had never supported claims of massive fraud in the 2020 election.

December 2020: Johnson Leads Amicus Brief in Support of 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 challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

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: Johnson Objects to Certifying 2020 Election Results

During the January 2021 United States Electoral College vote count, Johnson was among 120 U.S. representatives who objected to certifying the 2020 presidential election results from Arizona and Pennsylvania. He was called the "most important architect" of the objections, arguing that state officials had violated the Constitution by relaxing voting restrictions without consulting state legislatures.

May 19, 2021: Johnson Votes Against Commission to Investigate January 6 Capitol Storming

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

2021: Johnson Co-Sponsors Bills to Ban Abortion Nationwide

In 2021, Johnson co-sponsored bills aiming to ban abortion nationwide, including 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. These bills included criminal penalties for doctors performing abortions.

2022: Introduced Stop the Sexualization of Children Act

In 2022, Mike Johnson introduced the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, which would prohibit federally funded institutions, including public schools and libraries, 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.

July 2023: Spoke against gender-affirming care for children

At a July 2023 hearing on transgender youth, Mike Johnson spoke against allowing children to receive gender-affirming care, stating the legal system protects children from abuse and harm. He has also co-sponsored legislation to make providing gender-affirming care to minors a felony.

October 2023: Johnson Receives 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: Voted against decriminalization of marijuana

As of 2023, Mike Johnson had voted against the decriminalization of marijuana twice.

2023: CNN reported on Johnson's anti-gay language

In 2023, CNN's Andrew Kaczynski reported that Mike Johnson had a history of harsh anti-gay language from his time as an attorney for a socially conservative legal group in the mid-2000s, including editorials in The Shreveport Times calling homosexuality "inherently unnatural" and a "dangerous lifestyle".

2023: Co-sponsored legislation declaring life begins 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.

February 13, 2024: House Impeached Alejandro Mayorkas

On February 13, 2024, the House impeached Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas by a 214–213 vote. Mike Johnson championed the impeachment resolution.

November 2024: Announced new bathroom policy in U.S. Capitol

In November 2024, Mike Johnson announced a new policy regarding bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol, stating that single-sex facilities are reserved for individuals of that biological sex. This policy was enacted shortly after the election of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

March 2025: Criticized federal judges opposing Trump administration policies

In March 2025, Mike Johnson criticized federal judges for issuing injunctions against the Trump administration's policies, claiming it violated the separation of powers. He also suggested Congress had the power to eliminate district courts.