Overview

• On Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of misleading the public about responsibility for a shutdown that could halt military pay.
• The criticism followed a widely shared call from “Samantha,” a Virginia military spouse who said her family might miss the Oct. 15 paycheck and cannot afford to lose access to vital medications for her children.
• Johnson told the caller Democrats were to blame, while Scarborough countered that Democrats have a plan to ensure pay and that Republicans are blocking it.
• Scarborough pointed to Rep. Elise Stefanik’s push for a standalone bill to protect troop pay and argued Johnson could call members back immediately to pass it, as pressure builds for a vote.
• Scarborough also alleged Johnson is avoiding swearing in a Democrat and keeping Congress out to sidestep debate over Jeffrey Epstein files, presenting this as his claim tied to the broader dispute.