House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated Friday that the United States is engaged in a "battle" against Marxism, arguing that the ideology is gaining influence as candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America achieve primary victories. Speaking at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Summit in San Diego, Johnson framed the nation's 250th anniversary as a moment to counter perceived socialist inroads and reaffirm American founding principles.
"We are in a confrontation, in a battle against a very dark philosophy — Marxism, and its deviations, communism and socialism," Johnson said. He articulated that the nation's founding, particularly as articulated by Abraham Lincoln, was built on the premise of being "one nation under God." Johnson contended that removing the concept of a Creator from the nation's identity paves the way for Marxism, socialism, and the erosion of individual freedom.
The ADF Summit, an annual conference, convenes leaders from law, government, business, media, education, and the Christian community to discuss issues such as religious freedom and free speech. Other notable attendees at this year's summit included West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, conservative influencer Allie Beth Stuckey, and Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Admiral Brian Christine.
Johnson illustrated his point by explaining that America's founders grounded individual rights in God rather than government, a departure from the European concept of the divine right of kings. He warned that deviating from this principle leads to concentrated government power and tyranny. "We acknowledge the self-evident truth that our rights do not come from the government. They don't come from a king. They come from the King of Kings. They come from our Creator," Johnson stated.
His remarks coincide with gains made by Democratic socialist-backed candidates in primaries, fueling ongoing discussions about the Democratic Party's ideological direction. In New York City, for example, three congressional candidates supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their respective Democratic primaries, with two unseating incumbent members of Congress.
Johnson suggested that these electoral outcomes reflect a broader ideological shift, which he believes begins in educational institutions. "Because let's be honest, they've been indoctrinated in so many of these educational institutions. They see America through the wrong lenses," he said.
He also referenced polling data indicating a decline in American pride compared to previous decades, attributing this trend to a growing disconnect from the nation's history. "If we want the next generation to love America, they first have to know America," Johnson remarked.
Reflecting on his tenure as Speaker, Johnson shared that his Christian faith has been a source of grounding amidst the pressures of leading the House Republican conference with a narrow majority. He adopted the words of former President John Quincy Adams as his guiding principle: "Duty is ours. Results are God's." Johnson stated, "I'm not the sovereign. All I'm supposed to do is be faithful every single day and leave it on the field."