Democrats have embraced socialism and radical left-wing figures, handing “the keys of their party to avowed socialists who fantasize about the death of their political opponents,” Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, said during a Wednesday press conference on day 36 of the government shutdown.
Johnson specifically noted Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist with a history of anti-Israel rhetoric, who was elected as mayor of New York City on Tuesday.
“We talk about Mamdani for two reasons,” the speaker said. “It’s a bellwether because House Democrats, many of whom represent districts much less blue than New York City, have embraced him with open arms. And because his brand of Marxism is truly a bellwether for the Democrats nationwide.”
He added that Mamdani’s victory is “without a doubt the biggest win for socialism in the history of the country, and it is the biggest loss for the American people.”
“Working families watching this play out have a right to know that socialism and communism are not confined to New York City,” Johnson said. “They are quickly coming to a town near you, unless you stand up and let your voice of common sense be heard.”
Johnson called out several Democratic leaders for falling “in line behind the socialist candidates,” including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish leader in the United States, for flirting “with endorsing Mamdani all the way to the bitter end.”
When taking questions, Johnson responded to an interruption by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), stating, “You voted to shut down the government. You voted to stop SNAP benefits. You voted to not pay the troops, not pay TSA, border patrol. You may regret it now, but that’s your vote and it’s on the record.”
“We have to have 60 votes in the Senate, and we only have 53 Republicans,” the speaker said. “The entire country is waiting and calling on Democrats to put their political fight aside and open the government.”
