Johnson defends calling the anti-Trump protests demonstrations of “hatred of the United States”

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended labeling this weekend’s “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump as “hate America” ​​protests, arguing that he was referring not to the Democrats themselves but to the protesters’ message.

“Just with the notion that these are ‘hate America’ demonstrations, and you didn’t just talk about anarchists, antifa advocates and the pro-Hamas wing, you said this is the modern Democratic Party,” ABC News’ “This Week” co-host Jonathan Karl asked, referring to comments Johnson made last week. “But I remember not long ago what you said after the assassination of Charlie Kirk when you said we should see our fellow Americans, not as our enemies, but as our fellow Americans.”

“I have never called anyone an enemy,” Johnson said, but claimed that “there were a lot of hate messages” during Saturday’s protests.

“I mean, we have videos and photographs of some pretty violent rhetoric criticizing the president, saying fascists should die and everything else,” he added. “So it’s not about the people, it’s about the message.”

Pressed by Karl about Johnson comparing anarchists, Antifa and Hamas to the modern Democratic Party, Johnson defended his comments.

“I never said it was he the entire Democratic Party, but you and I have to recognize reality,” Johnson said before directing his criticism at the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani.

“Look at what’s happening in New York. They’re about to elect an avowed socialist Marxist as mayor of America’s largest city. There’s a rise of Marxism in the Democratic Party. It’s an objective fact and no one can deny it,” he said.

Mamdani has previously stated that he is not a “communist,” as Trump has called him. He identifies as a democratic socialist and has claimed that label repeatedly.

Johnson also argued that the “No Kings” label for nationwide protests was ironic.

“If President Trump were a king, the government would be open right now. If President Trump were a king, they would not have been able to participate in that exercise of free speech on the (National) Mall,” he said.

Here are more highlights from Johnson’s interview:

On not yet taking the oath of office to the elected Democratic representative Adelita Grijalva

Carl: When will the elected representative Adelita Grijalva be sworn in?

Johnson: As soon as we get back into the legislative session, when Chuck Schumer allows us to turn the lights back on.

Carl: Why haven’t you done it already?

Johnson: Because that’s how the institution works. By the way, I follow Pelosi’s precedent.

…

Carl: And what about the Johnson precedent? I mean, you swore in two Republicans the day after you were elected.

Johnson: I’m happy to answer. I’m happy to answer. Pelosi’s predecessor: Pat Ryan. Joe Sempolinski. They were elected during an August recess. Then, 21 days later, when the House returned to the regular legislative session, they were sworn in. That’s what we’re doing. We are not in session right now. Rep. Grijalva was elected after the House adjourned its session. As soon as we get back to the legislative session, as soon as the Democrats decide to turn the lights back on so we can all get back here, I will administer the oath…

Carl: You could be sworn in tomorrow, right?

Johnson: No, not tomorrow. No, we couldn’t, we wouldn’t. Earlier in this Congress there was an exception for two Floridians. But the reason was that they were duly elected. They had a date set. They flew in all their friends and family and the House closed its sessions unexpectedly.

Carl: So if she flies with friends and family…

Johnson: We don’t have a set date. She was elected after we finished the session.

On the commutation of the sentence of former representative George Santos

Carl: What do you think about that?

Johnson: The president has the right, according to the Constitution, to pardon and…

Carl: Safely.

Johnson: And the commutation, of course. We believe in redemption. This is a personal belief of mine. And I, you know, hope that Mr. Santos makes the most of his second chance.

…

Carl: Is it okay for me to say, essentially, “I’m forgiving someone because they always had the courage…”

Johnson: That’s not the reason.

Carl: “Conviction and intelligence to always vote for Republicans?”

Johnson: That is a fragment of what he said, among many things about George Santos.

Carl: Should that be a factor in pardoning someone who votes Republican…or clemency?

Johnson: No, and I don’t think… I don’t think it was. No, I don’t think it was. I just think he’s talking about this individual and his past, and at least he’s open and transparent about it. Joe Biden never told us anything. And frankly, we’re not even sure he knew who he’s forgiving for any of those things.

How ICE is conducting law enforcement operations

Carl: I want to give you something that (podcast host) Joe Rogan recently said how this is playing out. Listen.

Joe Rogan (host, “The Joe Rogan Experience”): The way it looks is horrible. It sounds like you’re arresting people in front of their children and ordinary people who have been here for 20 years. That… everyone who has a heart can’t get along with that.

Carl: Are you worried that these ICE raids are going too far, or at least… or could go too far?

Johnson: I think everyone is aware of the optics, but I believe in the rule of law. And I think the American people were alarmed because the border was open for four years and, by many estimates, up to 20 million illegal aliens came into the country, many of them hardened and dangerous criminals.

Carl: What you’re seeing are people who have been in the country for 20 years or more and who have families. You know, we have American citizens as children, as spouses, who face, you know, these pretty harsh deportations.

Johnson: Yes. And that gives no one any pleasure. What ICE has prioritized is dangerous and hardened criminals first. And there are probably a few million of those, okay? So they have been trying to round them up and send them back home with great success.

If you are concerned about military operations in the Caribbean Sea

Carl: Don’t you have questions for him (Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth) about what’s happening in Venezuela? We have this buildup around Venezuela. We have the goal of these ships. I mean, you should at least have questions. I know we have questions.

Johnson: The purpose of the ships? There are drug cartels bringing in fentanyl and boatloads that would potentially kill hundreds of thousands of Americans. What we are doing is restoring…

Carl: You have no questions about how they are doing.

Johnson: No, I believe in peace through strength. I believe the president and commander in chief are in charge of ensuring national security and the protection of the American people. And I think most common-sense Americans see that and say, “Thank God.”