House Speaker Mike Johnson said recent Democrat primary results show socialist candidates are shaping the party’s direction, while House Republicans push election integrity measures through a possible third reconciliation package.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

House Speaker Mike Johnson warned Wednesday that the Democrat Party is moving sharply left, saying recent primary results show socialist candidates and leaders are gaining control of the party’s agenda.

Speaking during a House Republican leadership press conference, Johnson, R-La., said the results reflected a broader political shift tied to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

“Last night made crystal clear that Zohran Mamdani, AOC, and Bernie Sanders have just taken full control of the Democrat Party, or what was left of it,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the trend is not limited to one city or one race. He pointed to Democratic candidates around the country whom he said oppose the Pledge of Allegiance, support abolishing the border, seek to decriminalize transgender prostitution and embrace other far-left positions.

“These radical candidates are self-described, self-identifying Marxists,” Johnson said. “They want to fundamentally transform this country.”

The speaker said he has been warning Republicans that Mamdani’s political rise is being replicated elsewhere.

“You’ve been hearing me say for weeks. There are many mini Mamdani’s popping up all around the country,” Johnson said. “It is a dangerous thing. This is not a joke. We are in a fight right now to save the republic, and every American needs to take this seriously. You need to wake up.”

Johnson also argued that the divide between the parties is not only political but cultural, saying many Democratic voters have become less connected to American traditions and national pride.

“Sadly, many of these Democrat candidates and their voters just don’t have the same zeal and affection for America,” Johnson said. “They don’t appreciate the freedom that we have in this country.”

Johnson cited an NBC News poll showing that 29% of Democratic voters surveyed said they were “extremely” or “very” proud to be American, compared with 90% of Republicans.

“What happened to the Democrat Party?” Johnson asked.

The speaker said the same measure stood at 90% among Democrats two decades ago, while Republicans remain above 90%.

“Over half of Democrats now say they would rather live in another country,” Johnson said.

Johnson contrasted those findings with what he described as the reaction of foreign visitors attending World Cup events across the United States. He said people visiting from Europe, Latin America and other regions are seeing the advantages of the American system firsthand.

“People from Europe and Latin America, many countries around the world, many of whom grew up under repressive, state-controlled economies,” Johnson said, “are getting a firsthand look at American freedom and opportunity.”

“They’re seeing for themselves the genius of America’s system,” he said. “A system that rewards risk takers and entrepreneurs and job creators and innovators, and people who create jobs for others and expand the economy and opportunity.”

Johnson said some visitors have praised ordinary American experiences, including trips to Buc-ee’s, Waffle House and the Everglades.

The speaker ended his remarks by focusing on Republican election legislation, including the SAVE America Act, which House Republicans have passed but which has stalled in the Senate.

“The President believes in election integrity,” Johnson said. “We passed the SAVE America Act. This is very important. That is the top priority because if you do not have safe elections in this grand experiment in self-governance that we have in a constitutional republic, you don’t have anything.”

Johnson said House Republicans are looking for ways to attach election integrity provisions to a third reconciliation package, which could give the proposal another path forward.

“House Republicans will put together a reconciliation bill, Reconciliation 3.0, that will have that,” he said.