Mike Johnson Report

Executive Summary

James Michael Johnson, born on January 30, 1972, to James Patrick "Pat" Johnson and Jeanne Johnson, is a prominent American politician and attorney. A distinguished alumnus of Louisiana State University and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Johnson has made significant strides in both state and federal politics. Currently serving as the 56th Speaker of the House, he plays a pivotal role in shaping legislative proceedings, appointing committee members, and wielding influence throughout the legislative process.

  • His political journey includes noteworthy positions such as Chair of the Republican Study Committee, Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, and an influential voice in challenging the 2020 Presidential election results.
  • Beyond politics, Johnson is associated with Liberty University and co-hosts the podcast "Truth Be Told with Mike and Kelly Johnson," providing Christian perspectives on contemporary issues.
  • However, his career is not without controversies, including his involvement in legal disputes such as the Ark Encounter Theme Park case and his participation in a controversial Supreme Court amicus brief. Johnson's diverse roles, from serving on President Trump's impeachment defense team to founding the nonprofit legal ministry Freedom Guard, reflect a multifaceted career dedicated to defending religious freedom, traditional values, and constitutional principles.

Personal Overview

  • James Michael Johnson
  • Born: January 30, 1972
  • Parents: James Patrick “Pat” Johnson & Jeanne Johnson
  • Education: Louisiana State University & Paul M. Hebert Law Center
  • 56th Speaker of the House
    • The Speaker runs the proceedings of House debate and voting, appoints committee members, refers bills to committees for research and development, and has an influential voice in all stages of a bill's consideration. One of the most visible and influential officials of the federal government, the Speaker is second in line, after the vice president, in succession to the presidency.
  • Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District (Jan 2016 – present)
    • Louisiana's 4th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The district is located in the northwestern part of the state and is based in Shreveport-Bossier City. It also includes the cities of Minden, DeRidder, and Natchitoches.
  • Louisiana House District 8 (2015 – 2016)
    • Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives serve four-year terms with term limits, limiting representatives to three terms (a total of 12 years). The Louisiana House of Representatives is one of the five state legislative lower houses whose members are elected to four-year terms.
  • Liberty University
    • Liberty University is a distinctively Christian academic community. As such, Liberty continues the philosophy of education which first gave rise to the university, and which is summarized in the following propositions.
      • God, the infinite source of all things, has shown us truth through scripture, nature, history, and above all, in Christ.
      • Persons are spiritual, rational, moral, social, and physical, created in the image of God. They are, therefore, able to know and to value themselves and other persons, the universe, and God.
      • Education as the process of teaching and learning, involves the whole person, by developing the knowledge, values, and skills which enable each individual to change freely. Thus it occurs most effectively when both instructor and student are properly related to God and each other through Christ.
  • Truth Be Told with Mike and Kelly Johnson
    • Mike Johnson (Congressman and constitutional law attorney) and Kelly Johnson (Licensed Pastoral Counselor and educator) present thoughtful analysis of hot topics and current events from a Christian perspective—and interviews with some of the most influential people in politics, law, the media, the church, and other arenas.

Audience

Notables

Early History

  • Mike Johnson worked for the Alliance Defending Freedom from 2002-2010.
  • Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission on the Southern Baptist Convention between 2004 to 2012.
  • Mike Johnson represented Ark Encounter & Answers in Genesis in a 2015 federal lawsuit.
    • Ark Encounter Theme Park lost millions of dollars in tax breaks when Kentucky officials withdrew after it was reported that Ark Encounter required employees to affirm, they held Young Earth Creationist beliefs.
      • Young Earth Creationists adopt a method of Biblical interpretation which requires that the earth be no more than 10,000 years old, and that the six days of creation described in Genesis each lasted for 24 hours. Young Earth Creationists believe that the origin of the earth, the universe, and various forms of life, etc., are all instances of special creation. The doctrine of special creation involves direct divine intervention, suspending the laws of nature to achieve a given result.

Politics

  • Elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2015 to 2017.
    • Incumbent Jeff R. Thomas vacated office after being elected to state district judgeship in 2015, Mike Johnson ran unopposed.
      • Proposed a bill called the Marriage & Conscience Act which was voted 10-2 against, in which the Governor Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to enforce its intent.
  • Elected to Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District in 2016.
    • Contested 2020 Presidential election results on the house floor & in court.
  • Mike Johnson served as chair of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives in Congress, from 2019 to 2021.
  • Mike Johnson was Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference from 2021 to 2023.
  • Mike Johnson was elected the 56th Speaker of the House.
  • Mike Johnson and 125 other House Republicans signed a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief in a Texas lawsuit arguing that Biden’s victories in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin were invalid because election officials changed voting procedures without first seeking the legislature’s approval.
  • Mike Johnson endorses Donald Trump for President in 2024.

Controversies

Other Notables

  • Founded Freedom Guard in 2015.
    • Freedom Guard is a nonprofit legal ministry that was designed to represent Christian clients in lawsuits.
  • Mike Johnson summarized his legal career:
  • Mike Johnson was a professor at Liberty University teaching classes at Helms School of Government between 2015 to 2022.
  • Tony Perks radio talk show Washington Watch.
  • Mike Johnson claims to be a friend of Amy Coney Barrett.
  • Mike Johnson’s statement on election fraud:
    • “I was a young volunteer in a big election lawsuit in Louisiana in the late nineties. What I learned is that election fraud is hard to prove. You have to have precision, and to do it in a very short time frame. And you have to have evidence beyond refute, and affidavits by witnesses that have credibility. I think the Trump campaign—and the Biden campaign—had the lawyers lined up. But, in this case, it appears that some of the larger law firms that might have been lined up early on, for whatever reason backed out, and Rudy Giuliani was in charge. And I don’t think their army of lawyers was large enough. I don’t know. It’s a question, not a statement, but did they have enough lawyers who had experience in election-fraud challenges? This is not to blame anyone. It is not so much that there are persons responsible for this. Normally, an election-fraud case will be one Senate race. Here, you had it happening across the country all simultaneously, and you had this very short window to prove it, and it was a scattershot, shotgun approach by necessity, and, because of that, it wasn’t successful.”
  • Mike Johnson was on President Trump’s impeachment defense team.
    • ” He’s a big-picture guy. Everybody knows that. I was on the impeachment defense team. I know the President well. I have travelled with him many times. He knows my background is constitutional law, and I think he is probably interested to hear my take on it.”
  • Mike Johnson has an adopted son who has an extensive rap sheet dating back to 2003, and was recently in court for running an illegal cannabis business and possession of brass knuckles.

Questions

  • How did Mike Johnson move up so quickly in politics?
  • The media and Democrats and several Republicans have spoken out against him publicly, but he appears to find positions of leadership within government still… How & Why?
  • Who does Mike Johnson consider a mentor in politics?
  • What other politicians does Mike Johnson have a close relationship with?

Conclusion

In his rapid ascent through the political ranks, Mike Johnson's trajectory has been marked by notable achievements and controversies. From his early education at Louisiana State University to his current role as the 56th Speaker of the House, Johnson has navigated the complex landscape of American politics with speed and determination. Despite public criticism from the media, Democrats, and even some Republicans, Johnson consistently secures positions of leadership within the government. The question of how and why he continues to rise remains unanswered, making his political journey a subject of intrigue and speculation. Adding to the complexity of his political narrative are questions about his mentors and close political relationships. Who has guided him in his career, and which politicians does he consider allies and mentors? These unanswered questions add layers to the enigma that is Mike Johnson, a figure whose influence extends beyond the traditional bounds of party lines and conventional political norms.

Mike Johnson

Scope
Person

Score
Possible concerns or issues.

Created
Oct. 30, 2023, 6:10 p.m.

Updated
May 10, 2024, 7:24 p.m.

Availability
Public

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