Johnson addresses Trump's rhetoric in a tense interview with CNN's Tapper

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was pressed during a tense interview about former President Donald Trump's recent rhetoric, including his threats against what he calls “the enemy within” and an uncalled for one joke at a rally on Saturday.

Trump told Fox News last week that he believes the military should be called in “if really necessary” to deal with “far-left lunatics” and “the enemy from within” if there is unrest next month related to the election should come.

Asked by CNN's Jake Tapper about Trump's comments on Sunday morning, Johnson said the former president was referring to threatening, violent individuals, not necessarily his prominent political opponents.

But Trump has referred to Democrats more broadly as he repeatedly attacked the nation's “enemies” in the final stretch of the 2024 campaign.

In a heated exchange between the Louisiana lawmaker and the CNN anchor, Tapper told Johnson: “If a Democratic presidential candidate said you and your wife were evil and that the military should be used against you, I would say that's disgusting.” is.”

“Well, thank you very much, and some have said that about us because they don't like my politics,” Johnson replied.

In any case, Trump would not be able to give orders to the National Guard or active military units on Election Day, November 5th, because he is not president.

Later in the interview, Johnson added, “He's talking about using the National Guard and the military to keep the peace on our streets.”

“Trump is talking about restoring law and order,” Johnson said. “This resonates with the American people.”

Johnson and Tapper weren't just talking about Trump's attacks against an “enemy.” The pair also had a less sensitive moment on the campaign trail.

“Why is (Trump) talking about Arnold Palmer’s penis in front of Pennsylvania voters?” Tapper asked repeatedly.

At a rally in western Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, Trump devoted 15 minutes to the late professional golfer Arnold Palmer and added an anatomical anecdote.

“Arnold Palmer was all man,” he told the crowd. “…This man was very strong and tough. And I refused to say it, but when he was showering with the other men and they came out of there, they said, 'Oh my God.' That's unbelievable.'”

Johnson did not immediately address the body-related remark, saying the election “should not be about personalities, but about politics.”

Trump has long added comic elements to his rallies, including frequent praise for the fictional cannibal film character Hannibal Lecter.

The House speaker said Sunday that despite these and other statements, many Americans will vote for Trump this fall because of his record and his policies.

“He has fun at the rallies. He says things that are off the cuff,” Johnson said. “But I’m telling you, I’ve been to these events, I’ve been to these arenas and people are having a great time.”

Contributor: David Jackson, Reuters

Johnson addresses Trump's rhetoric in a tense interview with CNN's Tapper

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By Vanessa

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