Speaker Johnson defends calling 'No Kings' rallies 'hate America' events, cites 'violent rhetoric'

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday, October 19, defended labeling the weekend’s 'No Kings' rallies opposing President Donald Trump as “hate America” protests. 

He insisted that his comments were aimed at the demonstrations’ tone and slogans, not at Democrats themselves.

Johnson says he has 'never called anybody an enemy'

Appearing on ABC News’ 'This Week,' segment, Johnson talked with host Jonathan Karl, who pressed him on whether his remarks contradicted his own past appeals for national unity.

“Just on this notion that these are ‘hate America’ rallies and you not only talked about anarchists, antifa advocates, pro-Hamas wing- you said this is the modern Democratic Party,” Karl noted.

“But I remember not that long ago what you said after the murder of Charlie Kirk, when you said that we should view fellow Americans not as enemies, but as our fellow countrymen,” the host added.

“I’ve never called anybody an enemy,” Johnson responded.

“There were a lot of hateful messages yesterday. We have videos and photos of pretty violent rhetoric calling out the president, saying ‘fascists must die’ and all the rest... I don't think it's pro-American to say those kinds of things. So it’s not about the people, it’s about the message,” Johnson said.

Karl further challenged Johnson on his earlier remarks linking anarchists, antifa, and pro-Hamas factions to what he described as “the modern Democratic Party.”

“I never said it was the whole Democratic Party,” Johnson clarified.

“But you and I have to acknowledge the reality. Look at what’s happening in New York- they’re about to elect an open socialist Marxist as the mayor of America’s largest city," he continued. 

"There’s a rise of Marxism in the Democratic Party. It’s an objective fact, and no one can deny it,” Johnson added. 

He was allegedly referring to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral candidate in New York City.

Mamdani, who reportedly identifies as a democratic socialist, has publicly rejected claims that he is a communist, a label both Trump and his allies have used.

Johnson calls the 'No Kings' slogan 'ironic'

The 'No Kings' rallies, held nationwide on Saturday, saw thousands take to the streets to protest Trump’s leadership style and policies.

Johnson, however, seemingly mocked the branding of the demonstrations.

“The irony of the message is pretty clear for everyone- if President Trump was a king, the government would be open right now,” Johnson quipped in the ABC News interview.

“If President Trump was a king, they would not have been able to engage in that free speech exercise out on the Mall,” he added.

Delay in swearing in Grijalva draws scrutiny toward Johnson

Karl also asked Johnson about the delay in swearing in Democratic Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a recent special election.

“When are you going to swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva?” Karl asked.

“As soon as we get back to legislative session, when Chuck Schumer allows us to turn the lights back on,” Johnson replied.

When Karl pointed out that Johnson had sworn in two Republicans, Pat Ryan and Joe Sempolinski, the day after their elections, the Speaker cited what he called the “Pelosi precedent.”

Johnson explained, "They were elected during an August recess. So 21 days later, when the House returned to regular legislative session, they were administered the oath. That's what we're doing. We're not in session right now. Rep Grijalva was elected after the House was out of session."

Pressed on whether he could swear her in sooner, Johnson said ‘'no."

“There was an exception for two Floridians earlier in this Congress. But the reason was they were duly elected. They had a date set... and the House went out of session unexpectedly," he further explained. 

Regarding Grijalva's case, he again said, "We don't have a date set. She was elected after we were out of session."