WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday warned that the United States faces what he described as a growing influence of socialist and communist ideology within the Democratic Party, arguing that the 2026 midterm elections will determine the future of the nation’s constitutional republic.

Speaking during a House Republican leadership press conference alongside House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, and U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, Johnson urged Americans to closely examine the policy positions of democratic socialist candidates and organizations.

Johnson Says Election Is About the Future of Constitutional Government

Johnson said voters will decide whether the United States remains “a constitutional republic” or moves toward what he characterized as a system based on communist ideology.

“We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we’re going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we’re going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism,” Johnson said.

He described the upcoming election as a defining moment for the country and encouraged Americans to review the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Johnson Criticizes Democratic Socialist Platform

According to Johnson, the DSA platform includes proposals to expand the Supreme Court, eliminate the U.S. Senate in favor of a unicameral legislature, abolish national borders, provide broad immigration amnesty, eliminate prisons, and reduce traditional law enforcement.

Johnson argued that candidates he described as “mini-Mamdani’s” are promoting similar ideas in congressional races around the country.

“This is not a game. Everybody needs to understand these crazy little mini-Mamdani’s who are popping up all around the country; they are a danger to you and your family,” Johnson said.

Johnson Contrasts Constitutional Government and Communism

Johnson said America’s founding principles recognize rights as originating from God rather than government, contrasting that belief with what he described as communist ideology.

“Our rights come from our Creator, God; they do not come from the government. The communist believes the opposite,” Johnson said.

He also cited the historical record of communist governments, stating that communist ideology “has led to the murder of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone.”

Cold War Comparison

Johnson compared today’s political climate with the Reagan era, when he said Republicans and Democrats were united in opposing communism overseas.

“Thirty-five years ago Republicans and Democrats in Congress… were fighting communism on a distant shore. Now it’s here,” Johnson said.

He argued that ideological differences between the two major political parties have expanded beyond disagreements over taxes and regulation into broader debates about the nation’s governing philosophy.

‘The Barbarians Are Inside the Gate’

Concluding his remarks, Johnson described the 2026 midterm elections as one of the most consequential in modern American history.

“The American people have to decide in November… whether we’re going to maintain our freedom in a constitutional republic,” Johnson said.

Johnson ended the press conference by warning:

“The barbarians are inside the gate.”

The remarks reflect House Republican leadership’s broader campaign message heading into the 2026 midterm elections, emphasizing constitutional government, border security, and opposition to socialism and communism. Democratic leaders have rejected Republican characterizations that equate Democratic policies or democratic socialism with authoritarian communism.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Following the fatal shooting of 52-year-old father and construction worker Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Houston, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Florida State Representative Angie Nixon released the following statement:

Statement from Rep. Angie Nixon

“Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was a father who spent decades building homes and providing for his family. He was fatally shot in the street by an ICE agent operating from an unmarked vehicle. My heart breaks for his wife and three sons.

“Our nation faces a moral choice. We must stop investing billions of taxpayer dollars in an agency that, in my view, terrorizes communities, operates with too little accountability, and often conducts enforcement actions without body cameras or clear identification. Those resources should instead be invested in strengthening our communities and helping families meet their basic needs. I believe ICE should be abolished.

“I stand in full solidarity with Lorenzo’s family in calling for a fully independent and transparent investigation into his death. I also call for the immediate release of his brother and the other individuals who were detained during this incident if they are being held without legal justification.”

Key Points

• Rep. Angie Nixon expressed condolences to the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
• She called for a fully independent and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting.
• Nixon criticized ICE’s enforcement practices and renewed her call to abolish the agency.
• She urged the release of Lorenzo’s brother and others detained during the incident if their continued detention is not legally justified.