'Little boot licker': Mike Johnson slammed for standing by decision to attend Trump hush money trial

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson doubled down on defending his decision to accompany Donald Trump to the Manhattan courthouse on May 14, where the former president is under trial in the hush money case.

Johnson called the hush money case an "atrocity" while speaking to NBC News on Wednesday, May 15, a day after publicly showing his support to the GOP presumptive nominee.

The Speaker also revealed that he rode with the former president from the Trump Tower to the courthouse as he headed to sit before the judge for the fifth consecutive week.

"He's clearly frustrated that he's been tied up now for the fifth week in this trial that has no merit, that prosecutors had already passed on eight years ago, that they can't define any crime that he has supposedly committed and the entire case is based upon a known perjurer, Michael Cohen," Johnson said to the news outlet. "So it's an atrocity."

Trump is on trial over 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to stop her from publicizing their alleged one-time sexual encounter.

Mike Johnson calls Trump hush money trial a 'travesty of justice'

Recalling his conversation with Trump during their travel to the courthouse, Johnson said to the former POTUS about  how the "soon-to-be official nominee" of the GOP was forced to be in court the majority of the week instead of campaigning for "what many of us regard to be the most critical election year of our lifetime."

He said Trump also noted that the large area around the courthouse was closed by law enforcement, which, according to Johnson, was politically designed to keep supporters away from the former president.

"I think it's part of the strategy and I just think it's a travesty of justice," the Speaker said.

Senators JD Vance and Tommy Tuberville, Representatives Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, and former GOP presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy also joined Trump at the courthouse on May 14.

However, Johnson's explicit support to Trump drew flak from lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic sides.

For instance, former GOP congresswoman Liz Cheney slammed the House Speaker on X (former Twitter). "Have to admit I'm surprised that @SpeakerJohnson wants to be in the 'I cheated on my wife with a porn star' club. I guess he's not that concerned with teaching morality to our young people after all," Cheney wrote.

Similarly, Democratic Rep Jim McGovern called out the House leader's "stunt" that diminished the lower chamber.

Internet blasts Mike Johnson for defending Donald Trump

The House Speaker faced brutal criticism for continuing to defend his presence at the Manhattan courthouse in support of Trump.

One social media user asked, "Where did he attend law school?" Meanwhile, another wrote, "Another rented megaphone. No spine."

"So now it’s not enough to defend the blasphemer, you are now attacking our Constitution including the judiciary. What’s next will you be selling his bibles. You are third in line. You swore to defend the Constitution. If you aren’t careful you wind up in jail like Cohen," one person said.

Another response read, "They're all looking for a good old future #Trumpian Pardon. They are mostly rational #utilitarian #insurrectionists or socialites wannabes. They are only loyal to power, $$, fancy parties, adulation... And Trump? Just a means to that lifestyle."

One individual wrote, "Hmmm, so much for MJ and his 'strong #Christian principles.'"

Someone else wrote on Facebook, "The man has no class. He has sold his soul to the devil like many of the repugnicans and the MAGA crowd!"

Another individual labeled Johnson a "Groveling little boot licker."

One person claimed, "This guy is an IDIOT! Trumps crimes are blatant and obvious. Johnson, just like all republicans, are afraid of trump and the MAGA base. What's the word I'm looking for...oh ya...CULT!

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