Mike Johnson pushes $350B defense boost, warns US is fighting 'communism on our own shores'

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Pentagon is seeking more than $350 billion in additional funding as part of a Republican-led reconciliation package.

He described the request as crucial for addressing what he called "dangerous times," including fighting communism at home and confronting "tyrants" abroad.

Johnson made the remarks during a press conference after being asked to explain the proposed defense funding request and why the Pentagon needs the additional spending. 

Mike Johnson defends $350B Pentagon funding

Johnson described the proposed package as more than a routine increase in military spending, arguing that it would fundamentally improve how the US military operates.

"This is some transformational funding that will help us change the dynamic of the Department of War and make it more efficient and effective," Johnson said, adding that while the US military is "already the greatest fighting force on the planet, not even close," the request reflects "real vision on how to improve that even further, to bolster that."

He cited President Donald Trump's stated goal of effectively doubling funding for national defense as the broader context for the request. "You've heard the president talk about how he wants to effectively double the funding for national defense," Johnson said.

"Look, we live in dangerous times. We're fighting communism on our own shores, and we're fighting evil tyrants around the world. And we have to be able to protect our national security."

Johnson made the remarks at a press conference where he was asked to explain the specifics of the proposed defense funding request.

Trump intensifies anti-communism campaign

In the weeks following several Democratic primary victories by progressive and democratic socialist candidates in New York, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, and other states, Trump and his GOP allies repeatedly argued that the nation was under attack from "godless Communists" who sought to "completely destroy the traditional American way of life."

Trump also called on the country to "vanquish communism from our shores" during his America 250 speech at Mount Rushmore on July 3. He reposted a video from a conservative commentator calling for democratic socialism to be "criminalized" and its leaders to be "deported."

Johnson echoed that messaging in social media posts accompanying the press conference.

"THE BARBARIANS ARE INSIDE THE GATE!" he wrote, adding, "We are fighting right now in Congress over whether we're going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic OR trade that in, dismantle the foundations and GO DOWN THIS DARK ROAD OF DEATH TO COMMUNISM."

The $350 billion request has faced pushback from some Senate Republicans. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and the currently hospitalized Mitch McConnell of Kentucky have both raised concerns about the proposed spending levels in the reconciliation package.

Johnson said he would not discuss the specific line items included in the funding request during the press conference.