House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has stated that he will not push for a federal ban on abortion before or after the 2024 election, even if Republicans maintain their majority. Johnson, who describes himself as a lifelong pro-lifer, emphasized that he believes in the sanctity of human life but recognizes that there needs to be a political consensus on such a contentious issue. He pointed out that former President Trump has stated that abortion is now a matter for individual states to decide, especially after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision.
President Biden, in contrast, and his campaign have taken a strong stance on the abortion issue, running eight-figure ad buys in battleground states criticizing Trump for appointing Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. However, Johnson remains focused on the need for cultural consensus before taking political action on abortion. He emphasized the importance of building a culture of life and educating people on the principles of equality as outlined in the Declaration of Independence before moving forward with any legislative action.
In response to demands from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Thomas Massie to defund federal prosecutions of President Trump in 2024, Johnson expressed his belief in the necessity of independent investigations to avoid conflicts of interest within the Department of Justice. He acknowledged the abuses that have occurred in the process but emphasized the importance of following legal procedures. When discussing presidential immunity from prosecution, Johnson endorsed arguments from Trump’s legal team that the president should have almost total immunity for their official actions to prevent distractions from governing.
Johnson also addressed concerns about his relationship with Trump, stating that he believes they have a good relationship of trust. He expressed confidence in Trump’s potential re-election and his own role as Speaker, highlighting the importance of a close relationship between the two for addressing the country’s challenges. Johnson remains committed to serving in his role and working with Trump to address the issues facing the nation, asserting that they have a lot of problems to solve together. He believes that their collaboration will be essential for the country’s future.
