The newly elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, played a significant role in trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, raising concerns about the integrity of future elections. With his controversial history, the Speaker’s position and influence on certifying presidential election results have sparked worries about the potential subversion of the voters’ will.
Challenging the 2020 Election
Mike Johnson, the newly elected Speaker of the House from Louisiana, led efforts to challenge Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, even though legal scholars widely criticized these attempts.
Johnson’s past actions have raised concerns about the potential impact on the integrity of future elections.
A Brief Lawsuit
In 2020, Johnson filed a brief in a lawsuit seeking to overturn Joe Biden’s presidential win. However, this lawsuit was swiftly rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supporting Trump
Johnson also echoed some of the conspiracy theories promoted by former President Donald Trump to explain his election loss.
Furthermore, he voted against certifying Biden’s win even after the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The Speaker’s Crucial
The role of the Speaker is crucial because, according to the U.S. Constitution, they are second in line for presidential succession, following the vice president.
Under Johnson’s leadership, the House will also be responsible for certifying the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
Deciding the Election
Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, expressed concerns about Johnson’s role.
He stated, “You don’t want people who falsely claim the last election was stolen to be in a position of deciding who won the next one.”
Framing His Position
As a constitutional lawyer, Johnson has added a layer of complexity by framing his attempts to subvert election outcomes in technical and legal language.
Revising Procedures
Last year, Congress revised the procedures for certifying a presidential win, making it more challenging to object as Johnson and other House Republicans did after the 2020 election.
The Conservatives Argument
However, there’s a conservative argument that no legislation can limit how Congress oversees the certification of a president’s win. Instead, they argue that the Constitution grants broad power to ratify the Electoral College’s votes.
No Guarantee that Power
In January 2025, the House will be filled with winners from the previous November’s election.
Therefore, Speaker Johnson’s position is not guaranteed, and even if he remains in power, it would be difficult for him to change the election results.
The Role of the VP
The vice president, who presides over the joint House and Senate session, holds a ceremonial role and only calls votes in the presence of sufficient objections.
The Goal of Trump Supporters
Nevertheless, the goal of Trump supporters in 2020 was to advance legal arguments against Biden’s win to the Supreme Court, which is dominated by conservative justices.
A Pivotal Role
A Speaker who previously supported Trump’s efforts to stay in power could play a pivotal role if Trump becomes the GOP nominee in the next election.
Worried and Concerns
Concerns about Johnson’s appointment were evident during the speaker vote on Wednesday, with Democrats and some Republicans expressing worries.
Johnson’s history of opposing the certification of the Electoral College’s results was a focal point.
The Will of the People
Joanna Lydgate, a chief executive officer of the States United Democracy Center, a group that combats election deniers, said, “How can you run the People’s House if you don’t believe in the will of the people?”
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The post “How Can You Run the People’s House if You Don’t Believe in the Will of the People?” – Controversial Speaker of the House Sparks Concerns About Future Election Integrity first appeared on Wealthy Living.
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