House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Tuesday that “everybody needs to calm down” regarding his certification of the election.
A reporter with EWTN News asked Johnson if he would certify the election results regardless of who wins. Johnson replied, “Of course.”
“We have a free and fair election, we’re going to follow the Constitution. I mean, I’ve taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and always have my entire life,” Johnson said.
Johnson played an important role when former President Donald Trump challenged President Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election. Johnson’s actions have raised questions about what he will do this election as he backed Trump and developed the legal reasoning for disputing Trump’s defeat, per The Hill.
This includes accusing some states of changing voting rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was in violation of the Constitution. This argument was embraced by many Republicans in the Capitol.
“All this hyperbole and madness about, ‘Oh, they’re going to try to unwind the election.’ None of that is true. None of it,” Johnson said.
He noted the media “went crazy” over Trump’s “secret” that he mentioned at his Madison Square Garden rally. Johnson said this was simply a get-out-the-vote effort and not an “ulterior motive.”
“There’s just too much emotion, too much misinformation out there. Everybody needs to calm down,” Johnson said. He said Americans need “do our civic duty” and have an “American election” which will be certified.
“I think President Trump’s going to win today and I think we’re going to win the Senate and the House, so we’re excited,” Johnson said.