A former Republican leader says GOP leaders are "scared to death" after House Speaker Mike Johnson's bizarre rant Friday, calling the "No Kings" protest later this month a "Hate America" rally.
Johnson ranted on Fox News, saying he is "angry" and "had it with these people," pointing to the upcoming protests on Oct. 18 across the United States. He also tried to claim the shutdown timing is tied to the public demonstration, The New Republic reports.
People called him out online, including former Tea Party Rep. Joe Walsh.
"My former political party is scared to death of these #NoKings rallies. That’s great. So let’s have a gazillion Americans out rallying all around the country on October 18th! Let’s scare the shit out of Trump & his party," Walsh wrote on X.
Others joined with a similar response, including the No Kings coalition, which organizes the nationwide event.
"The organizers behind the No Kings Day of Action on October 18 -- the event Johnson called a 'hate America rally' -- have this to say in response. 'After a few moments of laughter, the No Kings coalition issued the following statement,'" Huffington Post reporter Jennifer Bendery wrote on X.
"&SpeakerJohnson just called every American who plans to attend a #NoKings event a hater of the US. This spineless fake christian seems to like public humiliation, so he can continue by bowing down and kissing our protesting arses! We are patriots," Sally Dillon wrote on X.
"Peaceful protests don’t require military responses #NoKings and the Soros comment is just veiled anti-semitism. Very sad what has happened to the Republican Party," producer Gary Michael Walters wrote on X.
"Mike Johnson says the 'No Kings' protest is a Hate America rally. Wrong. It’s a We Love America rally—because real Americans don’t bow to kings. Read a history book, Mike. Or admit you’re just an errand boy too scared to tell the truth," California Democratic Socialist and Congressional candidate Chris Ahuja wrote on X.