'Morning Joe' Co-Host Willie Geist Busts GOP Reason For Electing Mike Johnson

MSNBC s Willie Geist on Thursday dismissed the idea that moderate Republicans didnt have enough time to vet election-denying Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) ahead of voting for him to become the new House speaker.

The idea that Johnsons election moved too quickly to examine his record doesnt pass the laugh test, said the Morning Joe co-anchor.

Because it wasnt moving quickly, Geist pointed out.

All you have to do is Google him to find that he was one of the architects and the leaders of the efforts, the attempt anyway, to overturn the 2020 election, he added.

Johnson strongly backed former President Donald Trump s efforts to reverse his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden . He is also a fierce opponent of LGBTQ+ rights and abortion.

Trump cheered MAGA Mike Johnson following his victory.

Earlier on Morning Joe, The Washington Posts Jacqueline Alemany described Johnsons election as a really remarkable turn of events given his lack of name recognition. She said one lawmaker said Republicans didnt have time to properly vet him.

Alemany also explained Rep. Ken Bucks (R-Colo.) justification for backing Johnson, when hed been staunchly against the Trump-endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Jordan was actively involved in encouraging the rioters to storm the U.S. Capitol whereas Johnson was involved in the lawyerly aspects of the fight and, therefore, it wasnt as harmful, Alemany said Buck reasoned.

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