'The barbarians are inside the gate': Johnson warns as progressive Dems keep winning primaries

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson raised the alarm about what he sees as a growing influence of socialist and communist ideas in the Democratic Party. He didn’t mince words; he called the upcoming 2026 midterm elections a turning point, saying voters face a stark choice between preserving the American constitutional republic and what he called a dark and dangerous road toward communism.

Progressive and democratic socialist candidates keep notching wins in Democratic primaries across the country. Big victories in places like New York and Colorado have already shifted the party’s balance of power, and it’s clear those changes will shape what happens this November.

Mike Johnson says communism is 'anti-American' and 'ends in destruction'

During an appearance on Fox News, Johnson argued that communism is incompatible with the American founding at its most basic level.

"Communism is anti-American. It's the opposite of our ideals. We're one nation under god. Communism begins with the premise that there is no God," he warned. "It never works, and it ends in poverty, destruction, political violence, and human suffering. That is the story of communism."

"So when you go out on the campaign trail, and you promise free stuff to people, young people, that's a siren song to them. That sounds great to them. No one is telling them they have to give up their freedom in exchange!" Johnson added.

The House speaker framed the coming midterms in existential terms, saying the scenario unfolding in American politics would have seemed unthinkable to most Americans just a decade ago.

Mike Johnson calls 2026 elections a historic crossroads

"So this election really does draw a contrast in a sharp way for the American people,” Johnson expressed. 

“If somebody had told us 10 years ago that on the 250th anniversary, the greatest nation in the history of the world, we would be debating whether or not we would maintain the constitutional republic or go down this dark, dangerous, deadly road to communism, you and I would have argued with them and said that's not possible," he further told Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany. 

"That's where we're right now, and these insurgent left candidates are winning the Democratic primaries all across the country. The barbarians are inside the gate. It's very, very serious stuff," Johnson went on to warn. 

In his written remarks, Johnson set up a stark divide between Republicans and Democrats.

He accused the left of pushing to abolish prisons, defund the police, and ruin the economy. He promised Republicans would stop what he called "communists" from taking over the country.

“While Republicans fight for common sense, lower costs, and safer communities, the radical Marxists taking over the Democrat Party are pushing CRAZY policies like abolishing our border and prisons, defunding the police, shredding our Constitution, and dismantling our economy. They would simply destroy America,” he wrote. 

“We WILL NOT allow our freedom and our country to be taken over by COMMUNISTS!” the Louisiana politician asserted. 

Johnson’s words fit right in with President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders, who keep trying to link Democratic primary winners to communism.

Since progressive candidates started winning primaries this cycle, Trump has brought up "communism" over and over again. Johnson, too, has mentioned the Pentagon’s request for $350 billion, arguing that US military funding is partly needed to fight communism here at home.