House Speaker Mike Johnson Speaks at Alliance Defending Freedom Summit, Links Democratic Primary Wins to Marxism

House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke July 18 at the Alliance Defending Freedom Summit in San Diego. He described the United States as engaged in a confrontation with Marxism and its variants. "We are in a confrontation, in a battle against a very dark philosophy — Marxism, and its deviations, communism and socialism," Johnson said.

Johnson argued that rights originate from a creator rather than government. "We acknowledge the self-evident truth that our rights do not come from the government," he stated. "They don't come from a king.

He tied the remarks to recent primary results in New York City. Three far-left congressional candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani won Democratic primaries this cycle, including two who defeated incumbents, Fox News reported.

Johnson said fewer Americans express pride in the country than in prior decades and urged renewed teaching of founding principles. Johnson also quoted former President John Quincy Adams, adopting the line "Duty is ours. Results are God's" as his personal mantra.

He said his Christian faith has helped him remain grounded amid legislative battles. Other attendees at the annual summit, which draws leaders from law, government, business, media, education and the Christian community, included West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, conservative influencer Allie Beth Stuckey and Admiral Brian Christine, who serves as Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.