House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) took to X on Tuesday to boast of his meeting with the leader of Poland, a key U.S. NATO ally, President Andrzej Duda, and sparked almost immediate backlash.
"I was proud to host President Duda and the delegation from Poland in the Capitol to express Congress’ continued appreciation for the strong relationship between our two countries," wrote Johnson. "As host to 10,000 American troops and one of America’s key NATO allies, Poland is a strategic partner in promoting a free and prosperous future and in advocating for greater defense spending by our European partners. In an increasingly dangerous world with growing threats, America must remain united with our friends against those who threaten our security."
These words of support for Poland rang hollow to Alyssa Farah Griffin, a onetime communications official for former President Donald Trump, who pointed out the double-talk hidden in his comments.
"Weird optics," she wrote. "Mike Johnson is currently single-handedly blocking aid to Ukraine."
Griffin noted she has also met with Duda and guessed at the message he had for Johnson.
"He’s a friend to the US - he’s also very direct," Griffin wrote. "I’m confident he implored Johnson to put Ukraine aid on the floor."
Johnson is one of the most hostile congressional leaders toward Ukraine funding, which has been vital to helping the country defend itself against the invasion of Russia.
He has yet to call up a vote on a bipartisan Senate package that restores Ukraine funding, as well as providing aid to Israel and Taiwan.
He previously claimed he was holding off on such a vote to prioritize budget negotiations to avoid a partial government shutdown — but those negotiations have concluded, with no sign of a vote on the aid package.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has expressed his impatience with Johnson, saying, "We don't have time for all of this. We've got a bill that got 70 votes in the Senate."
Nor did Johnson's followers express much patience with Johnson.
"Bring the Senate border bill to a vote, Moscow Moses!" demanded Art Candee.
"Poland is supporting Ukraine. You're not," wrote X user Sandy. "They think you're a joke."
