House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that “a man cannot become a woman,” which he said is a Biblical fact, prompting backlash from the left. Johnson's comments came on the same day he was asked about a proposal introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R.C.) to ban biological males from using women's restrooms in the U.S. Capitol. Mace's bill is seen as a response to Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Delaware), the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. McBride is biologically male, but identifies as female.
“For those of you who don't know my strong track record on this issue, let me be clear: Men will be men and women will be women,” Johnson told reporters. “A man cannot be a woman. … That's what the Bible teaches. That's what I just said.”
“But we also believe in treating everyone with dignity. That's why we can do all these things and believe in them at the same time. And we have so many questions. So I wanted to make that clear to you, and that's my position. I've been standing there all my life, and those are the facts.”
Mace defended his proposal to reporters.
“I know how vulnerable women and girls are in their private spaces,” she says. said. “So I'm absolutely, 100 percent, going to get in the way of any guy who wants to get into the women's bathroom, the locker room, the locker room. I'm going to be there and fight you guys every step of the way.”
Mr Johnson's comments came hours after he refused to take a position on Mr Mace's proposals, saying it was a matter of “first impressions”.
Citing the Bible, he said, “We welcome with open arms all new members who are duly elected representatives of the people. I believe this is a command to treat all people with dignity and respect.” spoke. “…There are concerns about restroom facilities and the use of changing rooms and everything else. This is an issue that Congress hasn’t had to address before. We’re going to be intentional about it with the agreement of our members. Each and every one of us. We meet the needs of
Left-wing news site “HuffPost.com” criticized The speaker's headline said, “Mike Johnson holds additional press conference just to make anti-trans statement.”
“Rising anti-trans sentiment among Republicans on Capitol Hill comes as President Donald Trump’s election spent millions on TV ads accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of being for ‘them.’ It is also due to the success of the movement,” the article states.
Mr Johnson's comments were also poorly received on the new social media platform Blue Sky.
“This is transphobia at its worst,” one person wrote. “Speaker of the House Mike Johnson should be ashamed.”
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Win McNamee / Staff
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
