Jen Psaki, the former White House press secretary under President Biden, recently leveled criticism against the newly elected House Speaker, Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana. Psaki, known for her candid commentary, used her MSNBC article and podcast platform, “Inside with Jen Psaki,” to dissect Johnson’s political and religious leanings.
In her Sunday podcast episode, Psaki acknowledged Johnson’s seemingly non-threatening image. She mentioned his conservative background, his initiative to start a civility caucus with a Democrat, and his typical politician appearance, marked by suits and glasses.
However, Psaki quickly expressed concerns over Johnson’s deep religious convictions. She played a clip from a recent interview where Johnson candidly expressed that the Bible is not just a reference for his worldview but the very foundation of it. He suggested that people curious about his stance on various issues should refer to the Bible.
Psaki emphasized this point, underscoring how Johnson’s Christian beliefs influenced his political perspective. She also highlighted a statement from Johnson’s first speech as Speaker, where he suggested his election was an act of God, interpreting this as a sign of his self-assuredness in his divine appointment. In his speech, Johnson expressed his belief in religious authority over leadership, stating that God has raised all members of Congress to serve the nation.
In her MSNBC article, Psaki expanded on her concerns, noting that while Johnson might not be widely recognizable, his role and beliefs are far from inconsequential. She pointed out his support for former President Trump and his staunch anti-abortion stance as indicators of his conservative ideology.
More critically, Psaki emphasized Johnson’s view of America as a fundamentally Christian nation, believing this should be reflected in constitutional interpretation. She warned that Johnson’s ideas of what America should be starkly contrasted with the reality of its diverse and pluralistic society. Psaki’s critique paints Johnson not as a benign political figure but as someone whose fundamentalist views could significantly influence American politics and culture.
