Faith Over Freedom: How Speaker Johnson’s Religious Views Undermine American Pluralism

By Josh Powell

Only in Trump’s America

By Josh Powell 

Speaker Mike Johnson

In October 2023, a relatively unknown Louisiana congressman named Mike Johnson ascended to one of the most powerful positions in American government. As Speaker of the House, Johnson now stands third in line to the presidency, wielding significant influence over our nation’s legislative agenda. Yet his extremist views on LGBTQ+ rights and his vision of America as an explicitly Christian nation should concern every citizen who values religious freedom and equal protection under the law.

A Career Built on Discrimination and Failed Ventures

Before entering Congress, Johnson spent years as a senior attorney and spokesperson for the Alliance Defense Fund (now Alliance Defending Freedom), an organization designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. During this period, Johnson built his career by denouncing gay people and fighting against gay rights, citing his Christian faith as justification.

Johnson has …