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House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected a question from CNN chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju about seating newly elected Democrats as a “nonsense narrative.”
While campaigning in Iowa for Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, whose seat is among those Democrats are targeting ahead of next week’s midterm elections, Johnson fielded questions from Raju about President Donald Trump and the GOP’s political strategy during the elections and beyond.
“Will you vow to seat every Democrat who wins on January 3rd?” Raju asked, referring to the day elected members will be sworn in.
“Of course, this is a nonsense narrative,” Johnson replied. “We are going to follow the law.”
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U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., said the idea of the GOP refusing to seat victorious Democrats is a “nonsense narrative.” ((Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images))
“What if Trump says ‘it’s a rigged election’?” Raju asked.
“Look, I’m a constitutional attorney. I’ve always been steady and consistent about this. This is going to be a no-drama swearing-in ceremony, but we’re going to hold the majority, and I’m going to be the Speaker of the House,” Johnson said. “And when I administer the oath, there will be one on January 3rd. We’ll administer the oath to everybody.”
Raju pressed Johnson, “If Trump says ‘don’t seat them,’ you’ll resist, then?”
“I’ll do my job as the Speaker of the House,” Johnson replied. “The president has vowed, of course, he wants to follow the law as well. That’s what’s going to happen.”
Johnson also defended Trump’s involvement in midterm races, saying he is having “no drag at all” on Republicans’ chances.
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President Donald Trump listens as North Carolina Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley speaks at a campaign rally at Pitt–Greenville Airport, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, in Greenville, N.C. (Matt Ramey/AP Photo)
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“I’ve seen the voters on the ground, and I’m telling you the polls are wrong, they are inaccurate, they’re underrepresenting Republicans and many of the pollsters have admitted that,” he said. “The polling isn’t accurate, the Republicans aren’t responding anymore.”
Raju challenged that assessment, questioning why Republicans were spending heavily in traditionally Republican districts.
“You’re spending millions in deep Republican districts,” Raju said.
Johnson responded that Iowa is a state where Republicans “always win, but it’s close” and said battleground districts exist across the country, particularly following recent redistricting efforts.
“We have to win in the districts that are presented, and we’re leaving everything on the field to get it done,” he said.
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U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., said of the midterms, “We have to win in the districts that are presented, and we’re leaving everything on the field to get it done.” (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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Mary Marslender, a GOP consultant and former senior advisor to the U.S. Senate, criticized Raju’s questioning in comments to Fox News Digital.
“CNN is once again pushing a fake narrative — color me shocked. Instead of chasing a nonexistent ‘Trump won’t seat Democrats’ story, Manu Raju should focus on reporting the news that matters,” Marslender said. “Americans are concerned about costs, wages, the border, and crime. If reporters covered those real issues, perhaps their audiences wouldn’t keep shrinking. Speaker Johnson’s answers were consistent with both the law and standard House procedure. Raju’s repeated hypotheticals reveal more about the story CNN wants to tell than any actual plan to block lawmakers.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson’s office and CNN for additional comment but did not immediately receive responses.