15:14The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, featured on ABC News’ “This Week” on Oct. 19, 2025ABC News
House Speaker Mike Johnson stood by his description of the “No Kings” demonstrations from the past weekend, which protested President Donald Trump, as “hate America” rallies, asserting that his remarks were aimed at the demonstrators’ message, not the Democrats themselves.
ABC News' "This Week" co-host Jonathan Karl referenced Johnson's prior statements from the previous week, querying, "Regarding the notion that these are 'hate America' demonstrations — and encompassing anarchists, antifa adherents, and the pro-Hamas element — you characterized this as the present-day Democratic Party. However, I recall your remarks following Charlie Kirk’s murder, where you advocated for viewing fellow citizens not as adversaries, but as fellow countrymen."
Johnson stated, "I’ve never referred to anyone as an adversary,” while maintaining that "there were numerous disparaging messages" throughout Saturday’s rallies.
He further noted, "We possess recordings and imagery showcasing fairly fierce language targeting the president, advocating for the demise of fascists, among other things. Consequently, the concern isn’t with the individuals themselves, but with the underlying communication."
House Speaker Mike Johnson appears on ABC News’ “This Week” on Oct. 19, 2025ABC News
When pressed by Karl concerning Johnson’s comparison of anarchists, antifa, and Hamas to the current Democratic Party, Johnson defended his assertions.
Johnson stated, "I at no point asserted that it encompassed the entirety of the Democratic Party, but both you and I must acknowledge the reality," prior to directing his censure towards Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral candidate for New York City.
He added, "Observe the developments in New York. They are poised to elect an avowed socialist Marxist as the mayor of the nation’s most populous city. There exists an escalating presence of Marxism within the Democratic Party. This is an undeniable truth, and none can dispute it."
Mamdani had previously clarified that he does not identify as a “communist,” as branded by Trump. He describes himself as a democratic socialist and has consistently upheld that designation.
Johnson also posited that the “No Kings” concept behind the widespread demonstrations was paradoxical.
He stated, "Were President Trump a king, the government would presently be operational. Under President Trump’s reign as king, they wouldn’t have been afforded the opportunity to engage in that expression of free speech on the (National) Mall."
Additional notable moments from Johnson’s interview are presented below:
Regarding the Delayed Swearing-In of Democratic Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva
Karl: When do you intend to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva?
Johnson: As soon as we are back in legislative session, once Chuck Schumer enables us to reinstate functionality.
Karl: What is preventing you from doing so now?
Johnson: This is consistent with institutional protocol. I’m adhering to the Pelosi precedent, as it were.
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Karl: And what about setting the Johnson precedent? Considering you swore in two Republicans the day following their election.
Johnson: I’m ready to address that. I’m happy to address that. Concerning the Pelosi precedent — Pat Ryan. Joe Sempolinski. They secured their elections during an August recess. Hence, 21 days afterward, upon the House’s return to routine legislative proceedings, they were officially sworn in. This is the course we are adopting. Currently, we are not in session. Rep. Grijalva was elected following the House’s adjournment. Upon our return to legislative activities, as soon as the Democrats resolve to restore normal proceedings, I will administer the oath –
Karl: You could administer the oath tomorrow, correct?
Johnson: No. Not tomorrow. No, that is not feasible. There was an exception made for two Floridians previously in this Congress. Yet, the rationale was that they were duly elected. A date was formalized. They had flown in their acquaintances and family members, and the House recessed earlier than anticipated.
Karl: So if she organizes flights for her acquaintances and family —
Johnson: We haven’t established a date. She was elected following our recess.
Regarding the Commutation of Former Rep. George Santos’ Sentence
Karl: What are your views on this?
Johnson: The president has the constitutional authority to issue pardons and –
Karl: Certainly.
Johnson: And commutations, naturally. We hold a belief in redemption. That is my personal conviction. And I trust Mr. Santos capitalizes on his second opportunity.
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Karl: Is it justifiable for him to suggest, in essence, "I’m granting a pardon to someone because they always exhibited the courage — "
Johnson: That isn’t the reasoning.
Karl: "Conviction and acumen to consistently vote Republican?"
Johnson: That’s merely an excerpt of his remarks, amid a multitude of statements concerning George Santos.
Karl: Should someone’s party affiliation influence pardon decisions or clemency?
Johnson: No, and I don’t believe – I don’t believe it did. No, I don’t believe so. I merely infer that he is referencing this individual and his history, and at a minimum, he articulates it candidly. Joe Biden has disclosed nothing to us. Moreover, we aren’t even certain he comprehended whom he was absolving in any of these cases.
On the Methodology of ICE Enforcement Operations
Karl: I wish to share a statement that (podcast host) Joe Rogan recently voiced about how these operations are conducted. Please listen.
Joe Rogan (host, "The Joe Rogan Experience"): The impression it gives is dreadful. It appears — when they are apprehending individuals in the presence of their children, ordinary, everyday individuals who have resided here for two decades. Anyone with a heart finds that objectionable.
Karl: Are you concerned that these ICE raids are excessively aggressive, or have the potential to become so?
Johnson: I believe everyone is conscious of the imagery; however, I uphold the principle of the rule of law. I also consider that the American populace was unnerved by the fact that the border was largely unguarded for a duration of four years, with estimations suggesting that upwards of 20 million unlawful immigrants entered the nation, many of whom are seasoned, hazardous criminals –
Karl: What you are witnessing are individuals who have been in the country for two decades or more, with families, American citizens as children or spouses, confronting these notably severe deportations.
Johnson: Indeed. No one derives any satisfaction from that. ICE has prioritized the apprehension of dangerous, hardened criminals as a matter of course. There are possibly millions of them, understood? They’ve been endeavoring to gather them and return them to their countries of origin with considerable success.
Regarding Potential Concerns Regarding Military Operations in the Caribbean Sea
Karl: Don’t you harbor inquiries for him (Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth) regarding the unfolding events in Venezuela? We observe a buildup in that region. We are witnessing the targeting of vessels. I assume you possess at least some inquiries. We certainly do.
Johnson: The targeting of vessels? Drug cartels are importing fentanyl in boatloads, capable of causing fatalities for potentially hundreds of thousands of Americans. Our current course of action is to reinstate —
Karl: You have no concerns about their methods?
Johnson: No, I advocate for peace through strength. I believe that the president and commander-in-chief bear the responsibility of ensuring national security and safeguarding the welfare of the American populace. I suspect that the majority of reasonable Americans view this and express, "Thank goodness."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
