Newly appointed Republican House Speaker, Mike Johnson, extolled the virtues of “18th-century values” in a speech prior to his political career, advocating for their significance in shaping American morality and religion. Speaking at a 2013 forum hosted by the Louisiana Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization, Johnson invoked the wisdom of early American leaders such as George Washington and John Adams. He contended that these founding figures emphasized the critical role of 18th-century values in sustaining the republic, warning that neglecting them could imperil the nation.
Mike Johnson, aged 51, assumed the role of Speaker following a tumultuous period within the Republican party. Although he had maintained a relatively low profile since entering Congress in 2016, his ascent to the national stage has ignited a comprehensive scrutiny of his political stance and beliefs. Notably, he has been recognized for his support of Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his strong stance against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
In the wake of a recent tragic mass shooting, during which 18 lives were lost and 13 individuals were injured, a video clip circulated in which Johnson attributed such incidents to 20th-century American reforms. He pointed to factors like “no fault divorce laws,” “the sexual revolution,” “radical feminism,” and “government-sanctioned killing of the unborn” as contributing to the creation of what he termed “a completely amoral society.” In this society, young Americans were allegedly taught that there were no absolute standards of right and wrong.
This rhetoric aligns with Johnson’s earlier comments in 2013 to the Louisiana Right to Life, in which he asserted the religious motivations of the founding fathers of the United States, irrespective of their careful intent to establish a “wall of separation between church and state,” as articulated by Thomas Jefferson. Johnson emphasized the vital role of religion and morality in fostering political prosperity, citing George Washington’s farewell address and John Adams’ belief that the constitution was intended for a moral and religious populace. Johnson’s message was clear: the republic’s survival was contingent upon maintaining these foundational values.
Johnson’s own forecasts of American decline have garnered attention. In 2004, he characterized same-sex marriage as a “dark harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy” that could threaten the nation. He asserted that the United States, at just 237 years old, remained an experiment on the global stage, established with divine inspiration and biblical principles. Nevertheless, he expressed concern that religious values and moral codes were being marginalized and disregarded in the country’s leadership, giving rise to a society devoid of absolute truths.
As he voiced his concerns, Johnson also addressed the notion of tolerance as the new societal virtue, displacing the value of truth. He contended that American society was inherently intolerant toward those who asserted that life was sacred due to inalienable rights endowed by a creator. In the face of such challenges, Johnson reaffirmed his commitment to preserving the 18th-century values upon which the nation was built.
Mike Johnson’s rise to House Speaker has unveiled a leader whose steadfast beliefs in the enduring significance of 18th-century values continue to shape his political outlook. His vision of an America rooted in religious and moral principles, despite the changing landscape of contemporary society, has sparked extensive debate and discussion about his role in the nation’s political landscape.
