Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial act of tearing up President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address has resurfaced. Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA), who is now the new Speaker of the House, recently spoke out against Pelosi’s actions, labeling them as both shameful and unlawful. In an interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Johnson argued that Pelosi had committed a felony by tearing up the official copy of the State of the Union address. As the Republican Party rallies behind Johnson, he must navigate the delicate balance between establishment and MAGA Republicans to secure the necessary support for his bid as Speaker.
Pelosi’s Felonious Act
According to Congressman Johnson, Pelosi’s decision to tear up President Trump’s State of the Union address was not only unprecedented but also illegal. Johnson highlighted the significance of the document, stating that it was the original copy of the address, which is delivered to the top legal officers of the House. By tearing up this official document, Pelosi violated a specific statute, making her actions felonious. This incident left many members of the House stunned and outraged, as it was a blatant display of disrespect and disregard for the law.
“It was a shameful display. It was stunning, really, to many members sitting in the House. It was totally unprecedented. It was shameless, and it was also unlawful, Tucker,” Johnson said.
“She actually committed a felony when she tore that paper up. It wasn’t just any copy of the State of the Union address, it was the copy, the original… When the President delivers that copy to the top legal officers… those are the official documents of the House and if you tear those up you violated a specific statute,” he added.
Navigating the GOP Waters
As Speaker-Designate, Mike Johnson faces the challenge of navigating the ideological differences within the GOP caucus. He must secure support from the 217 members necessary to survive a full vote by the House. Johnson’s first 24 hours as the nominee have received positive comments from both establishment and MAGA Republicans, indicating a potential consolidation of support. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), the leader of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, believes that Johnson understands the pulse of the American people and is the right person for the job. Similarly, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), who voted to remove McCarthy and blocked Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) over three rounds of voting, expressed confidence in Johnson’s ability to lead.
“He’s got his pulse, I think, on where the American people are,” stated Rep. Roy in an interview with CBS.
The Road Ahead
As Mike Johnson assumes the role of Speaker-Designate, the path to becoming the Speaker of the House is not without challenges. He must maintain the delicate balance between the establishment and MAGA Republicans, ensuring he can garner the necessary support for a successful vote. The Republican Party is looking to Johnson to define their differences with the Democrats and to lead with a conservative agenda that resonates with the American people. With his straightforward leadership and ability to unite Republicans, Johnson has the potential to become a strong and influential Speaker, setting the stage for a new era in the House of Representatives.