Former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney Mocks Speaker Mike Johnson For Supporting Trump At Trial: ‘I Guess He’s Not Concerned With Teaching Morality’

House Speaker Mike Johnson made headlines on Tuesday when he attended former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York. In doing so, he became the highest-ranking Republican official to offer support to Trump and endorse his criticisms of the U.S. justice system.

Johnson is the most recent GOP figure to visit the courtroom as he faces accusations that he falsified business records to conceal hush money payments directed to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Alongside Trump at the courthouse were Gov. Doug Burgum (R-North Dakota), who has been mentioned as a potential running mate for Trump in the 2024 election, as well as Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida.) and Rep. Cory Mills (R-Florida.).

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), another potential vice presidential candidate, along with Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and Rick Scott (R-Florida), had previously appeared at the trial to show their support for Trump.

Outside the courtroom on Tuesday, Johnson told reporters that Trump is innocent. He argued that the allegations against him were driven by political motives rather than a pursuit of justice. However, he declined to answer any questions and did not address how his Christian beliefs square with making payments to an adult film actress.

In the trial last week, Daniels provided a detailed account of her alleged encounter with Trump in 2006 and the subsequent $130,000 agreement to keep her silence, which was finalized in the closing days of the 2016 presidential campaign.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), a vocal Trump critic and former colleague of Johnson, criticized his decision to attend the trial on Tuesday. She took to X and wrote, “Have to admit I’m surprised that @SpeakerJohnson wants to be in the ‘I cheated on my wife with a porn star’ club. I guess he’s not concerned with teaching morality to our young people after all.”

Johnson, an ardent evangelical Christian, frequently emphasizes the role of his faith in his life and public service. He has openly discussed his opposition to pornography and proudly shared how he and his son monitor each other’s consumption of explicit material.

In response to inquiries, the House speaker’s office clarified that taxpayer funds did not cover the expenses for his trip to New York City. Instead, Johnson’s travel to and from the city was financed through campaign contributions as part of his participation in political events. Johnson’s attendance at Trump’s trial coincided with these activities.