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Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson led a campaign to keep former President Donald Trump in the White House after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden.
On January 5th, 2021, prior to the aggressive uprising at the US Capitol, Mr. Johnson held a private meeting with fellow Republicans to discuss the tasks Congress needed to address the next day.
Although he was a lower-ranking member of the caucus, Mr Johnson still advocated for the idea that the GOP should endorse Mr Trump and protest the tallying of electoral votes from several crucial states won by Mr Biden.
I have offered individual prayers for each of you.
“This decision carries a lot of weight. We have all prayed for God’s guidance. Personally, I have prayed for each one of you,” stated Mr. Johnson during the time, as reported by Politico.
He proceeded to suggest that they should ally with him in voting against validating the outcomes.
After the 2020 election on November 3rd, Mr. Johnson spearheaded the legal campaign to maintain Mr. Trump’s position in office. Despite the numerous unsuccessful legal attempts by Mr. Trump, Mr. Johnson continued to persist.
Mr. Johnson stated that he will endorse a legal case brought by Texas against four states, aimed at nullifying their election results on December 8, 2020. The Republican representative from Louisiana declared that he will support the case by submitting a signed document along with other members of Congress.
Throughout this period, Mr Johnson frequently communicated with Mr Trump.
During the meeting held on January 5, 2021, Representatives Chip Roy and Don Bacon strongly criticized Mr. Johnson’s proposal, stating that it could potentially create a constitutional crisis.
According to Politico, Mr Roy stated, “We should not use our last remaining firewall for freedom as a tool for political gain in a fit of populist anger.”
On Wednesday, October 25th, both Mr. Roy and Mr. Bacon cast their votes for Mr. Johnson during the speaker election.
“Remain resilient and continue to persevere, sir!” – Conversation with Donald Trump
Donald Trump has endorsed Mike Johnson for the role of Speaker of the House.
On November 7, 2020, the majority of media sources declared Mr. Biden as the winner of the election. On that same day, Mr. Johnson tweeted that he had spoken with Mr. Trump and encouraged him to remain determined and continue fighting. He stated that the nation is counting on his resolve and that they must utilize all legal options to restore trust in the fairness of the election system.
On November 9, 2020, Mr. Johnson posted on a social media platform that he had received a call from Mr. Trump the night before.
He stated that he was pleased to hear his ongoing determination to guarantee that every lawful vote is accurately tallied and that any cases of deceit and wrongdoing are examined and punished. It is important to defend fair elections!
On November 9, 2020, Mr. Johnson made an appearance on the Moon Griffon Show where he discussed his conversation with Mr. Trump. He mentioned that they were prepared to take their case to the US Supreme Court. Additionally, he revealed that Mr. Trump was encouraged by Justice Samuel Alito’s decision to have Pennsylvania separate any late-arriving absentee ballots in case they were deemed invalid.
Mr. Johnson expressed his belief that there are at least five justices on the court who will make the correct decision, which he saw as a positive indication, to the Lafayette host.
When Mr. Johnson spoke, he mentioned that he planned to file at least 10 lawsuits. He also expressed his desire for one of the lawsuits to be on a “rocket docket” that would bring it to the highest court quickly.
Perceptions of electoral misconduct influenced by 1996 Senate campaign
His opinions on electoral deception were influenced by the 1996 Senate campaign between Republican Woody Jenkins and Democrat Mary Landrieu.
“I was a youthful law student at the time, but I found myself constantly carrying the briefcases of others and offering assistance,” he stated, alleging that there was proof of fraud but the Democrats concealed it.
On November 17th, Mr. Johnson stated to KEEL News in Shreveport that the election was not yet concluded.
“I do not admit to anything,” he stated to the radio station. “I have recently discussed this with the president and he remains steadfast in his position.”
Mr. Johnson mentioned several accusations that changes to election laws in crucial states were unconstitutional. He then repeated the false claims that voting machines had been manipulated.
He stated that there is a lot of truth to the accusation that some of the voting machines from Dominion were tampered with using software.
The accusations being aired resulted in Fox News reaching a settlement of nearly $800 million with Dominion in their defamation case.
Pushing outlandish theories
He also proposed the absurd idea that the “software system used nationwide is questionable because it originated from Venezuela under Hugo Chavez’s rule.”
Sidney Powell, a lawyer for Trump, who made the same assertion about Mr. Chavez, who passed away in 2013, admitted guilt in the past month to six misdemeanor charges related to conspiring to intentionally disrupt the execution of election responsibilities.
Earlier this month, Sidney Powell admitted to six misdemeanour charges of conspiring to intentionally interfere with election duties.
The law enforcement agency for Fulton County is the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
On December 9th, 2020, President Trump announced on Twitter that his administration would be getting involved in the Texas case, along with several other states. He stated that this is a major case and a victory is needed for the country.
President Trump personally contacted me this morning to express his gratitude for the amicus brief that we are submitting on behalf of Members of Congress. In fact, Mr. Johnson stated within the hour that this is a significant opportunity.
The amicus brief, signed by 126 Republicans, revealed that more than half the House caucus was willing to object to the results. Less than a month later, 140 Republicans objected on the floor of the House on January 6, 2021 – before and after the violent attack on Congress and the peaceful transfer of power.
However, the Supreme Court voted 7-2 to reject the Texas lawsuit, stating that the state lacked legal standing to bring the case.
Mr. Johnson expressed his dissatisfaction multiple times, but continued to emphasize the uncertainty of how things will unfold. He shared this sentiment with KEEL News on the morning of December 14th, which was when the Electoral College vote was confirmed.
On the morning of January 6, 2021, Mr. Johnson and 36 other individuals shared a statement, stating that the United States has been able to thrive for over 250 years because of the support of its citizens.
The people’s trust in our government institutions is the basis for their consent. One of the most important institutions is our system of fair and open elections, and any weakening of this foundation puts our nation’s stability at risk, they stated.
“Who has the power to calm Donald Trump?”
Mike Johnson, the representative, has been chosen as the speaker of the House.
During his speech on Wednesday, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker and criticized the GOP for neglecting important issues such as improving the middle class, supporting communities, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing the lives of ordinary Americans when selecting a new speaker.
He asked, “Who can satisfy Donald Trump?”
Mr. Aguilar stated that House Republicans have endorsed an individual who has been referred to as the primary mastermind behind the objections to the Electoral College. He also mentioned that this individual led the legal effort, which was joined by over 100 colleagues from the opposing party, in support of a baseless and risky lawsuit aimed at overturning the outcome of the 2020 election.
“Even though some of my Republican peers labeled it a failed tactic, they still intend to stand by his side today,” he remarked on the night of January 6. “Democrats hold the belief that by voting against the outcome of the 2020 election, these members have relinquished their capability to lead in this chamber.”
The Independent has contacted Mr Johnson’s office for a response.
Source: the-independent.com
