Speaker Mike Johnson condemns Democratic Socialists at Iowa Christian gathering

U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, the speaker of the House of Representatives, said Iowa is at the forefront in a “battle for basic principles” Friday, warning against Democratic Socialists ahead of the midterm elections at the 15th Annual Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines.

According to the Family Leader website, the event is a gathering for “Christians committed to transforming culture through God’s design for the family, church, government and more.”

Johnson said there are 28 candidates in the U.S. who currently label themselves as “Democratic Socialists” that have won a “primary or are in a position to win.” Johnson described these candidates as “avowed communists,” claiming they want “no borders,” “no prisons” and want to “abolish the U.S. Senate.”

“It’s dangerous stuff,” Johnson said. “They don’t want the allowance of private property. They don’t want the free market. This is what we’re facing right now.”

Johnson said he believes the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation and argued that Marxism, Communism and Socialism begin with the “premise that there is no God.”

Johnson also stressed the importance of Iowa in the general election, criticizing Iowa Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, who is also a pastor and candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, for participating in a “satanic” wedding.

Trone Garriott has said publicly she was an intern when the wedding occurred, and the pastor who trained her officiated the wedding.

Johnson closed his remarks by saying the U.S. has to remain “one nation under God.”

“We have to ensure that the generations that come behind us understand and share that conviction,” Johnson said.

The Summit, held at the Iowa Events Center, also featured speeches from Gov. Kim Reynolds, gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson.

Reynolds said “protecting life, strengthening marriage, defending religious liberty and supporting parents” are foundational principles for the younger generation to inherit.

“These are more than policy discussions,” Reynolds said. “They’re pivotal decisions about the kind of society we want to be, and whether we’ll leave the next generation a culture that recognizes the inherent dignity and value of every person.”

Reynolds said she is proud of her legislative achievements that restrict abortion and other measures she described as “pro-life.”

“We ensured that unborn lives are valued and protected, and that moms facing unplanned pregnancies or parenting alone were supported in their journey,” Reynolds said. “We’ve upheld family values, empowered parents to choose the best education for their children, and we’ve made it clear that girls’ sports are for girls four years before the Supreme Court gave us permission.”

Reynolds said she is optimistic for the future of the governor’s mansion because of Lahn.

Lahn, who has publicly praised Reynolds for her job as governor, has faced fierce criticism from Democrats who say Reynolds is the most “unpopular” governor in the U.S.

“Lahn is apparently ‘grateful’ for the last decade of one-party rule that’s made Iowa the number one state for new cancer growth, the state with the second highest number of farm bankruptcies and left public schools underfunded,” the Iowa Democratic Party said in a news release.

Lahn spoke after Reynolds at the Summit, and said he and his supporters are looking to bring an authentic and “different type of change” to the governor’s office, adding that he ran to preserve the “culture, heritage, history and stories” of the U.S. and Iowa.

“I’ve never run for office before, but we are trying to bring a different kind of message to the political landscape,” Lahn said. “I believe politics have been dominated by this idea of ‘bumper sticker politics’ and we’re not getting to know our candidates. We’re not getting authentic, real discussions.”

While Lahn emphasized he has never run for public office before, Federal Election Commission records show he has previously donated to several candidates across several states and has worked in Republican politics in Montana and Colorado.

Hinson, in her speech, said it is important for Christians to use their collective voice to take on the challenges, claiming that the “left” is continuing to “drag” the U.S. backwards.

Hinson warned against “Democratic Socialists” who have achieved some electoral success in the U.S. recently, claiming that Iowa Rep. Josh Turek would also “embrace” socialism and that U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is working to “bankroll” Turek’s campaign.

“They would like to turn Iowa into a failed liberal state like Minnesota or Illinois,” Hinson said. “Democratic voters are celebrating these candidates who not only are embracing socialism, they are calling dramatically for an expansion of the size and scope of the government, and they are promoting ‘progressive wealth distribution.’”