Mike Johnson Under Fire After Bizarre Discussion With Democrat Rep. Is Caught On Tape

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is coming under fire from the right after appearing to acquiesce to criticisms of President Donald Trump by a Democratic congresswoman who cornered him about Trump’s speech in front of U.S. military leadership on Tuesday.

The candid moment occurred when Johnson and Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) huddled to the side of a Capitol Hill hallway, speaking in hushed tones while unknowingly airing their disagreements to TV cameras positioned over their shoulders.

Conservatives were indignant at Johnson’s refusal to rebuke Dean when she called Trump “unhinged” following his speech.

“The president is unhinged. He is unwell,” Dean alleged.

Johnson offered no pushback. “A lot of folks on your side are, too,” he replied. “I don’t control–”

“Oh my God, please!” the Democrat spat back. “That performance in front of the generals–”

“I didn’t see it,” Johnson said dismissively.

WATCH:

The Republican speaker’s unwillingness to defend Trump provoked outrage among conservatives on Thursday, as they accused Johnson of breaking ranks in the midst of a high-stakes government shutdown.

“Johnson is so damn spineless. Doesn’t have Trump’s back at all,” one X user wrote. “No wonder Republicans can never go on offense, we got utter weaklings in charge.”

Another suggested that, while there may be more to the exchange than what’s been publicly released, it’s still not a good look for the speaker.

“Johnson says ‘…your side too,’ thus not defending POTUS Trump but agreeing. Then, he also doesn’t defend Sec. of War, Hegseth’s military speech. Not good,” the user reacted.

Dean, first elected in 2018, made the most of her moment in front of Johnson, challenging him to denounce an AI-generated video from Trump mocking House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

“It wasn’t my style,” Johnson replied.

“Not your style? It’s disgraceful. It’s racist. You should call it out,” Dean responded.

Jeffries was equally apoplectic about the video, which showed him wearing a sombrero and oversized mustache while mariachi music played in the background.

“There’s no way to sugar coat it: Nobody likes Democrats anymore,” a fake Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says in the clip.

“Is it racist? You put a sombrero on a Black man who’s the leader of the House. You don’t see that as racist? We need you desperately to lead,” Dean cried as Johnson began to retreat from view.

“I’m working on it. And personally, it’s not my style,” he responded while walking back to his office. “I love you and I respect you, OK?”

“That’s why I’m talking to you,” Dean said in response.

Johnson responded to a question from CNN about the moment, stating, “I’m the speaker of the House, so I represent Republicans and Democrats in that capacity and I always hear complaints and concerns from members and I always stop and hear that, and I did that for Madeleine Dean. I respect her as an individual, we disagree on every policy matter.”

Johnson said he told Dean that he “disagreed with her perspective on it.”