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House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Controversial Stance on 2020 Election and State of the Union Invitation

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 24: U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) surrounded by House Republicans speaks after being elected as the speaker nominee during a GOP conference meeting in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 24, 2023 in Washington, DC. The conference was meeting in a closed-door session to select a successor to ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was removed on October 4 in a move led by a small group of conservative members of his own party. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In a recent interview with CBS’ Margaret Brennan, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, refrained from explicitly acknowledging Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Despite acknowledging President Biden’s certification and three years in office, Johnson continued to assert that the Constitution was “clearly violated” in the lead-up to the election, primarily due to changes in election laws made by states in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson’s ascent to the top House position in October brought attention to his involvement in legal efforts to challenge Biden’s win. A constitutional lawyer, Johnson played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in collecting signatures from over 60% of House Republicans for an amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit. The lawsuit, which alleged widespread election irregularities without presenting concrete evidence, sought to have results voided in four crucial states.

Mike Johnson
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) leave after a news briefing at the U.S. Capitol on November 2, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Republican held a Conference meeting to discuss party agenda. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Former Representative Liz Cheney criticized Johnson in her new book, accusing him of playing a “destructive role” and being less than honest with colleagues. According to Cheney, Johnson assured members that the brief made no specific claims of fraud, while, in reality, it was filled with such claims. Johnson dismissed Cheney’s criticism, citing her collaboration with Democrats on the January 6 select committee, which he believes further politicized the issue.

Johnson Extends State of the Union Invitation Amidst Controversy

Despite the controversy surrounding Johnson’s stance on the 2020 election, he extended an invitation to President Biden to deliver the State of the Union address on March 7. In a letter emphasizing his duty to extend the invitation during a critical moment for the country, Johnson acknowledged the challenges the nation faces.

The State of the Union address, an annual speech given by the president to a joint session of Congress, holds particular significance as Biden seeks re-election in the upcoming November 5 election. Responding to the invitation on social media, Biden expressed his anticipation for the upcoming speech, creating a dynamic juxtaposition against the backdrop of Johnson’s controversial position on the election results.

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE – AUGUST 20: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden delivers his acceptance speech on the fourth night of the Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center on August 20, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. The convention, which was once expected to draw 50,000 people to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is now taking place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Questions Surround Johnson’s Working Relationship with President Biden

With Johnson’s refusal to explicitly affirm the legitimacy of the 2020 election, questions arise about how effectively he can work with President Biden. When pressed by Brennan on this matter, Johnson dismissed it as “water under the bridge” and emphasized his dedication to working with the current president. However, his underlying goal remains ensuring that Biden serves only one term, as he perceives the president to be an “abject failure” in his role as commander-in-chief.

Johnson’s complex stance on the 2020 election continues to generate attention, raising concerns about the potential impact on his working relationship with President Biden. Despite the controversy, the invitation for Biden to deliver the State of the Union address adds an intriguing layer to the ongoing political dynamics, marking a delicate balance between political differences and the ceremonial traditions of the nation’s highest office.

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