According to Mediaite, ABC News senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott faced jeers and interruptions from House Republicans during a press conference with Republican nominee for House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) on Tuesday. As Scott sought to question Johnson about his involvement in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election result, her query was met with laughter, booing, and heckling from the assembled Republicans. Johnson, in response, shook his head at Scott while the commotion unfolded.
During the press conference, 80-year-old Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) was notably vocal, loudly instructing Scott to “Shut up! Shut up!” while Johnson swiftly redirected the conversation to the next question, disallowing any further discussion on policy matters.
In the aftermath of the incident, Scott took to social media to identify herself as the reporter involved in the contentious press conference. She recounted her attempt to query Johnson on his stance regarding the attempts to overturn the 2020 election and shared that her subsequent inquiry about potential aid for Ukraine and Israel was similarly rebuffed.
The press conference occurred following Johnson’s nomination for House speaker, succeeding Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who withdrew from the race on the same day. Emmer’s decision to step back from the nomination reportedly came in the wake of opposition from former President Donald Trump. Mike Johnson has now been confirmed as new Speaker of the House. This happened before he was confirmed.
The incident highlighted the intense political climate and polarization surrounding discussions of the 2020 election and related issues within the Republican party, with Scott’s attempts to elicit responses, met with a sharp and adversarial reaction from some members of the GOP.
I asked the Mike Johnson if he stands by his efforts to try to overturn the 2020 election.
Members started boo’ing.
I also asked if he would support more aid to Ukraine and Irael.
“Go away! Go away!” one member shouted.
“We’re not doing any policy tonight,” Johnson said.
