House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concern that a significant portion of American students are being “indoctrinated” and perceive the United States through “wrong lenses.” Johnson made these remarks on July 9 at an event hosted by the legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) in San Diego, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

Speaking at ADF’s Summit 2026, Johnson stated that while ADF works to defend the nation's foundations, the younger generations “do not seem to fully appreciate and understand this.” He emphasized that the 250th anniversary presents a “divine opportunity” and a “teachable moment” to educate individuals about American history, referencing the Declaration of Independence as the nation's “birth certificate.”

Johnson described his practice of speaking to university students, often in “hostile arenas,” and asking for a show of hands from those who believe they live in the greatest nation in the world. He noted that typically only a few hands were raised, with a slightly larger number agreeing that they live in at least a “great nation.”

“I think on the nation's 250th birthday, I believe we have a divine opportunity. We have a teachable moment,” Johnson said. “And I think we've got to make this very simple to explain it to the people coming behind us, because, let's be honest, they've been indoctrinated in so many of these educational institutions. They see America through the wrong lenses.”

Kristen Waggoner, president, CEO, and chief counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, welcomed Johnson as a keynote speaker. She noted his dedication to principle, which she said he brought to his role in Washington. Waggoner added that Johnson's remarks on America’s spiritual heritage served as an ideal conclusion to the summit, which focused on the nation’s founding principles.

Polling data indicates a broader trend of declining trust in higher education. According to Gallup, only 38% of U.S. adults express a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. The data also suggests that 31% of those lacking confidence cite perceived political indoctrination as a primary reason. A report from the America First Policy Institute indicated that liberal faculty members significantly outnumber conservative faculty members on university campuses nationwide.