Internet accuses Mike Johnson of 'lying' for declaring he won't push federal abortion ban

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson declared that he would not attempt to pass a nationwide abortion ban before or after the November election even if Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress.

Emphasizing his "lifelong pro-lifer" stance, the Louisiana lawmaker echoed former President Donald Trump's decision not to support a federal abortion ban, leaving it to individual states, during an interview with Politico published on Friday, May 10.

"President Trump said this is in the states' purview now. After the Dobbs decision, I think that's where it is," said the conservative hardliner.

Last month, Trump announced his stance on the contentious issue, opting not to endorse a national abortion ban. Instead, he stated that the decision would be left to the states, to be determined through votes, legislation, or both.

Mike Johnson calls for cultural consensus

Johnson also underscored the need for consensus among his House colleagues regarding abortion, which is a focal point of the 2024 elections.

"I'm a product of a teen pregnancy," the speaker added. "And so I believe in the sanctity of human life. It's also an important article of faith for me. But I have 434 colleagues here. All of us have our own, philosophical principles that we live by, but you have to have a political consensus."

Last week, the Federal Election Commission authorized the unrestricted use of foreign and external funding, including contributions from so-called "dark money" donors, for abortion and ballot initiatives across the nation.

However, Johnson dismissed the effort, noting that Americans should have a cultural consensus before taking political action, according to the New York Post.

Citing the conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart, the No.1 House Republican said, "Politics is downstream from culture." He agreed with the remark to again underscore the need for cultural consensus on a "very contentious issue" like abortion before reaching political consensus.

"And I think there's a lot of work to do to build a culture of life and educate people on the importance of that and to really live up to the principles of our nation's birth certificate, which is the declaration that 'All men are created equal,'" Johnson continued.

"We have a long way to go to build the political consensus here to do anything in that regard," he said.

Despite the top Republicans rejecting a national abortion ban, President Joe Biden's re-election campaign continued to focus on abortion issues, criticizing Trump for the overturning of Roe v Wade.

The Biden-Harris campaign hit the GOP presidential nominee with eight-figure ad buys in key battleground states, holding him responsible for the restrictions on abortion.

Trump's appointment of three conservative judges to the US Supreme Court paved the way for the potential overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022.

Internet blast Mike Johnson

Netizens expressed outrage over the House Speaker's affirmation not to endorse a national abortion ban, alleging that he was lying and would advocate for it if Trump wins in November.

One user wrote, "He’s lying. If he’s talking, he’s lying."

Another remarked, "Yeah, I trust Mike Johnson as much as I trusted Republican appointed SCOTUS justices, who stated during their confirmation process, that Roe V Wade was 'settled precedent' and first chance they got they overturned the settled law. Plus, Republicans & Trump lie!"

Similarly, a user added, "Of course we should believe him, just like we believed the right-wing judges who said that Roe was settled law." [sic]

"Not even slightly fooled. This will item one if they take both houses and the White House. Make no mistake, they have been working for this goal since Reagan," another response read. [sic]

Another person argued, "The highest court in the land told us similar, in fact, three of them insisted upon it within the last seven years. To report this & not note the historical duplicity the right wing has enjoyed on the topic is a grade school error. Dear God, don't tell me you believe him."

Someone else claimed, "Yeah, he’ll have someone else put it forward…"

"Oh thank goodness! I feel so reassured now! Republicans are notoriously trustworthy ESPECIALLY when it comes to abortion. *eyeroll*" said an individual. 

Another enraged user wrote, "He's lying, and y'all know he's lying. They don't hold votes on it now because it hurts them badly in elections and it'd be vetoed. Trump won't veto it not matter what he says now. It'll be one of the first things the House does after inauguration if Trump wins."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.