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Mike Johnson warns that our democracy could slip away if Democrats get elected in midterms. Huh, guess the speaker hasn't checked his newsfeed in a while. This is just another day. >> [music] >>
With the midterm elections just around the corner, both parties are taking their message to the American people. But lately, some have been more dramatic than others. >> Right now, domestically, we are arguing, we are debating, we are fighting, the election will be over whether we're going to remain maintain our freedom in a constitutional republic, the greatest experiment in self-governance in the history of the world, the longest surviving constitution on the planet. We are fighting right now in Congress over whether we're going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic, or we're going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations, and go down this dark road of death to communism. >>
Damn. I don't want to say that Mike Johnson is wound a bit tight these days, but I think all of us could benefit from his son getting an alert that his dad was relieving some stress. But Mike Johnson masturbating aside, back to the speaker's statement that the America we know and love could disappear if Democrats get elected in the fall. Boy, I shudder to think what that type of tyrannical government control could even look like. I mean, would the Dems start censoring comedians? Would they weaponize our nation's Justice Department to enact political retribution campaigns? Would they circumvent Congress to take our country to war? Is that the nightmare scenario we should all be fearing? The truth is, Mike Johnson knows exactly what he's doing with these hyperbolic statements. He's trying to fearmonger his way to victory in November, because to him, this is all one big game. >>
This is not a game. Everybody needs to understand these crazy little mini Mom Donnies who are popping up all around the country, they are a they are a danger to you and your family. >>
If this isn't a game, then why are you describing it exactly like a game? I'm pretty sure whack-a-Mom Donnie is rolling into every Chuck-E-Cheese as we speak. But I actually agree with the speaker. This isn't a game, although sometimes it sure feels like it when the main character is on an endless quest for gold coins. >>
So we can put living people's images on a coin. President's also going to have a coin coming out with his image on it. >> I hear there might be a new brand of currency around the corner. >> Well, it's sa- same currency just different series. >> And it's going to look different. >> Well, it's going to it's going to have one one big change on it but they have for the 250th of the president's signature is going to be on it for the first time. >>
That's right. To commemorate the democracy Republicans hold so dear, the leader of their party has decided to put his face and signature on our money. You know, like all living presidents do. Fun fact, a Treasury official named Spencer Clark tried to force his way onto our money in 1866 and it didn't go so well. The scandal compelled Congress to pass a law later that year forbidding images of living people from appearing on American paper currency. The blowback was a byproduct of America's attempt to assert itself as a democracy. Monarchies like Britain routinely adorn their currencies with portraits of their rulers. So to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our independence from England, Donald Trump and his administration have chosen to do the most English thing possible. Okay, the second most English thing possible. But even our Treasury Secretary was nice enough to take some time off from his money tour to chime in on the perils of losing our democracy. >>
You've seen the rise of communism. They say that they could make things more affordable. Do you think that's possible? >> Well, they they they make it more affordable by uh making it making people worse off. >>
Damn, what would that even look like? >> The war is having an immediate impact on oil prices, one that we could all see at gas stations soon. Gasoline futures rose 6% today, which is the biggest one-day percent jump in 3 months. Now to the latest on the impact of President Trump's tariffs. According to a new report, the tariffs cost the average American household $1,000 last year. >> At the White House tonight, President Trump acknowledging healthcare premiums are about to skyrocket for more than 20 million Americans. >>
Yes, if Donald Trump is at all concerned that people won't remember him every time they take out their wallets, I think he can rest easy. But, sorry for the interruption, dear speaker. Please do tell us again how Democrats are a threat to our freedoms. >>
And so we here here is the Republican Party to stand on the founding principles of the greatest nation in the history of the world. It is our duty to do that. And we're doing it on behalf of all of you, even the journalists who don't agree with our our our policies all the time. You better agree on these principles, cuz this is what keeps you free. By the way, it's what keeps the press free, okay? This is essential for your well-being. >>
Thank God Mike is fighting for the press. I hate to think what would happen to journalists if another party was in power. >> The New York Times says several of its journalists are facing subpoenas for their reporting on security concerns over the new Air Force One. >> Targeting the reporters with these subpoenas produces a chilling effect, and that chilling effect is contrary to the First Amendment when you especially here, where what you have is the government trying to prevent reporters from reporting on activity that is itself embarrassing to the government. >>
Embarrassed? What's so embarrassing about having to admit you paid a billion taxpayer dollars for a plane you claimed was Oh, what was it? >> I could be a stupid person to say, "Oh, no, we don't want a free plane." Right. >> That would make you a stupid person. But while embarrassment may not be the emotion Mike Johnson is showcasing, fear definitely is. >>
For the first time really in in my lifetime, this is a real question the American people have to decide in November, in a midterm election for Congress and Senate. It It's not something that we would have projected. We I hoped and prayed it would never come to this, but here we are. The barbarians are in the gate. >>
I agree with you there, but I take it a step further to say that the barbarians are operating the gates. And frankly, they think the gates need a $600 million golden crusted upgrade. But it wasn't just Mike Johnson sounding the alarm bells over what's to come in a Democratic controlled government. Michigan representative Lisa McClain took to the podium today, too, to tell us how she's just as frightened for our nation's future. >>
What makes this moment even more disturbing is the contempt that these people have for the country they actually want to leave. Miss Chevalier admitted that she used the American flag as a napkin. A napkin. The flag that has been draped over coffins of 18-year-old service members who never ever got to come home. >>
Sure, not the best tweet. But if we're going after people who desecrate our flag, I think representative McClain might want to check this other politician out. >> A new fundraising email from the Trump team this weekend includes a picture of the president in his white USA cap saluting at the dignified transfer of the first US soldiers killed in the war. By the way, this email offers donors attendance to private national security briefings by Trump himself. >>
Pretty sure those donors are actually there to take notes while somebody else catches a few winks. I am in no way suggesting that we abandon our democracy and discard the very freedoms which make this country great. What I am asking for here from the Republicans is just a smidge of consistency. Honestly, Mike Johnson, I join you in your fear that our great democracy is slipping away, but it pains me to tell you that the call is coming from inside the house. If your greatest fear is the erosion of the America the rest of us hold so dear, you might want to take a look around. I don't recall our previously democratically elected leaders demanding their face on all of our buildings. And is taking control of our federal elections holding true to our democratic ideals? How about the government taking a stake in private companies? How much more proof do we need that we are already living in the GOP's dreaded nightmare scenario? A leader who bashes immigrants and others, anybody who doesn't look like him, a defiant politician who cozies up to autocrats while trashing our allies, a snake oil salesman who uses the federal government as his own personal profit generating machine. I'm honestly surprised that the Republicans can physically hold these press conferences considering how far down their heads are buried in the sand. Mike Johnson and the rest of the GOP can sound the alarm as long and loud as they want, but they should know that when they say >> The barbarians are in the gate. >> they're talking about themselves. >> [music] >>
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