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13h ago

Mike Johnson Draws Blowback for Nazi 'Defended' Slip During Capitol Q&A

The slip followed a question about a Capitol Police probe into a swastika seen on a staffer-linked Zoom call.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) delivers remarks at a news conference on the government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on October 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Johnson held the news conference with members of the Main Street Caucus and spoke on the status of negotiations as the government shutdown enters its 15th day. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Speaking at the U.S. Capitol on the 16th day of the government shutdown, Johnson said, “We fought the Nazis. We’ve defended that evil ideology,” before adding that the GOP condemns Nazism.
  • Johnson framed his remarks as a defense of Republican principles, listing individual freedom and the rule of law, and said the party opposes anyone who espouses Nazi beliefs.
  • The exchange was prompted by a question about the U.S. Capitol Police investigation into a swastika image captured on a Zoom call connected to a congressional staff workspace.
  • The comment drew swift online criticism, with House Majority PAC labeling it the “Freudian slip of the century” and critics comparing it to earlier high-profile Republican verbal gaffes.
  • Reporters linked the moment to recent coverage of a Young Republicans group chat allegedly featuring racial slurs and praise for Adolf Hitler, and no correction or apology from Johnson was reported.