House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a dire warning about the growing influence of Marxism in the United States, framing the nation's 250th anniversary as a pivotal moment to push back against the ideology.
Speaking at the Alliance Defending Freedom Summit in San Diego, Johnson emphasized the need to renew appreciation for America's founding principles and reject the growing socialist influence that he believes is gaining traction nationwide.
Johnson framed the nation's confrontation with Marxism as a battle, citing the ideology's deviations into communism and socialism. He emphasized that the problem lies in the idea that individual rights come from the government rather than God.
The speaker went on to describe an illustration he uses to explain the connection between America's founders and their grounding of individual rights in God rather than government.
Johnson warned that abandoning this principle leads to socialism, communism, and concentrated government power, ultimately resulting in a loss of freedom and a path to tyranny.
His remarks come as Democratic socialist-backed candidates continue to make gains in primaries, fueling a broader debate over the party's ideological direction.
Johnson suggested that the ideological shift begins in the classroom, where students are often indoctrinated with a skewed view of America.
The speaker repeatedly tied America's constitutional system to religious faith, arguing that the nation's freedoms are inseparable from the biblical principles embraced by the Founding Fathers.
Johnson noted that polling shows fewer Americans expressing pride in the U.S. than in previous decades, reflecting a growing disconnect from the nation's history.
The speaker closed by reflecting on the pressures of leading the House Republican conference with one of the narrowest majorities in modern history, crediting his Christian faith for keeping him grounded through repeated legislative and political battles.
Johnson adopted the words of former President John Quincy Adams as his mantra, saying, "Duty is ours. Results are God's," and expressing his commitment to being faithful every day and leaving the outcome to God.
