Two years ago, few Americans outside Louisiana had even heard of Mike Johnson. But in October 2023, the relatively unknown congressman was swept into the national spotlight as he was unexpectedly elected Speaker of the House after a dramatic, weeks-long standoff within the Republican caucus. Johnson’s rise was marked by a curious blend of religious fervor and political calculation—he told the National Association of Christian Lawmakers that God had woken him in the middle of the night and called him to be ready for a "Red Sea moment." As he recounted at the gala, he believed he was meant to be an Aaron, a supporter, not a Moses. But, as Johnson explained, “Finally, Johnson was told to ‘now step forward.’ ‘Me?’ Johnson said. ‘I’m supposed to be Aaron.’ ‘No,’ the Lord replied, ‘step forward.’” According to reporting by Salon, Johnson saw his ascent as a divine mandate, cast in the role of an American Moses, tasked with guiding the nation through turbulent times.
For two years, Johnson managed what many thought impossible: keeping the notoriously divided Republican caucus together, despite razor-thin margins and the outsized influence of former President Donald Trump. As Salon noted, “the power that Johnson wields over House Republicans has largely been due to the fact that he doesn’t really have any power at all.” Trump remained the de facto leader, issuing directives from Mar-a-Lago or the White House, and Johnson, a loyal supporter, followed suit. He had vocally backed Trump through both impeachments and had even led the amicus brief signed by more than 100 House Republicans seeking to overturn the 2020 election results in four battleground states.
Yet, as of October 2025, the stability Johnson brought is beginning to unravel. Factions within the Republican Party are growing restless, especially as some members consider a post-Trump future. The speaker’s position is further complicated by a series of controversies that have cast doubt on his leadership and integrity. Chief among these is Johnson’s role in what has been described as a cover-up related to the Jeffrey Epstein files. According to Salon, Johnson has refused to swear in Adelita Grijalva, the newly elected Democratic representative from Arizona. Grijalva’s vote is seen as critical to forcing the release of the Epstein documents, a move supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans—84% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans, and 83% of independents, according to a recent Marist Poll.
Johnson’s refusal to act has sparked outrage across the aisle. Democrats are incensed that he has blocked Grijalva’s swearing-in, especially since he has expedited the process for Republicans in similar situations. The issue is not merely procedural; it is deeply political. Once Grijalva is sworn in and the House reconvenes, there would be enough votes to compel the release of the Epstein files, a prospect Johnson appears determined to prevent for as long as possible. As the Salon article put it, “nothing exposes Johnson’s rank hypocrisy more than this one issue, and it’s destroying any shred of credibility he had left.”
Meanwhile, the speaker’s actions during the ongoing federal government shutdown have only added fuel to the fire. Johnson adjourned the House, refusing to call members back to vote on stand-alone bills such as pay for the troops and other essential workers. This decision has sparked rebellion within his own caucus, with some Republicans openly criticizing his leadership. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, for example, broke with Johnson publicly, telling CNN that the party is being “destroyed” over health care issues.
Health care, indeed, has become another flashpoint. On October 9, 2025, Johnson appeared on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” and found himself in a heated exchange with a Democratic caller who accused him of lying about illegal immigrants receiving Medicaid benefits. Johnson pushed back forcefully, citing a June 2025 estimate from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that around 1.4 million individuals who would be removed from Medicaid under the recent reconciliation bill did not meet citizenship and immigration status requirements but were currently covered by state-funded programs. “I’m not lying. I’m telling you the truth. And you can go look at all the documents yourself. Don’t look at the Republican paperwork,” Johnson insisted. “Look at the Congressional Budget Office, who said that we had at least 1.4 million illegal aliens draining the resources from Medicaid, which is why we put the reforms in the law and got it signed July 4th.”
Johnson further pointed to the Democrats’ proposed government funding bill, which he claimed would reverse the reforms enacted in July. He urged viewers to “see for yourself” by reviewing the bill on his website, specifically referencing page 57, section 2141, which seeks to repeal restrictions on "Alien Medicaid eligibility." The dispute highlights a broader, ongoing battle over government spending and immigration policy, with Republicans accusing Democrats of seeking to fund health care for undocumented migrants—a charge Democrats deny, arguing instead that their efforts aim to lower health care costs for all Americans.
The legislative gridlock has had real consequences. The Senate failed to pass a seven-week continuing resolution on September 30, 2025, falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. As a result, telehealth and home care coverage for millions of Medicare beneficiaries expired at midnight on October 1, 2025. According to the Tampa Free Press, Republicans have blamed Democrats for the lapse, while Democrats maintain that the shutdown was necessary to prevent further cuts to health care programs.
All of this has left Johnson in an increasingly precarious position. His strategy of evasion—brushing off questions about Trump’s policies with lines like “It’s not in my lane” or “I haven’t seen that tweet”—is wearing thin. His critics, both inside and outside the GOP, accuse him of outright dishonesty, especially when it comes to the party’s health care agenda. As Salon observed, “by trying to excuse Republicans’ grotesque assaults on health care and suggesting they are actually trying to preserve it, Johnson is outright lying now.”
Despite the mounting challenges, Johnson’s tenure as speaker has been marked by a remarkable ability to survive—at least until now. He has navigated a treacherous political landscape, balancing loyalty to Trump with the demands of an increasingly restive caucus and a skeptical public. But as the controversies pile up—from the Medicaid dispute to the Epstein files cover-up and the government shutdown—his hold on power may finally be slipping.
Whether Johnson’s leadership will endure, or whether his “Red Sea moment” will end with him swept aside by the tides of political change, remains to be seen. For now, the man once anointed as an American Moses finds himself at a crossroads, facing challenges that test not only his political skill but also the faith he so publicly professes.
