CAPITOL HILL — As we met in the ceremonial room here on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson seemed relaxed, even though his job was anything but. “It's important to note that this is not a job I have ever sought,” spokesman Johnson told CBN News. “We’ve found ourselves in quite a quandary here.”

That would specifically be a GOP pickle that can switch from sweet to sour at any time. He is the first speaker in history to take office in the middle of a session and finds himself with a single-seat Republican majority and a divided caucus.

CBN's David Brody interviews House Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill (Photo: Mario Gonzalez/CBN News)

Leading a divided house

“Democrats typically tend to think more like a union, they kind of stick together, they're more monolithic,” Johnson says. “They move as a herd. They are rather social animals. Republicans, on the other hand, are robust individualists. You know, we care deeply about our core principles and our philosophy, and we're not easily moved. And that's it. “Usually that's a great blessing, but when you're trying to keep all these cats together and go in the same direction with a majority of one vote, sometimes that's a challenge.”

Challengers like members of the House Freedom Caucus, frustrated by what they called poor spending deals with Democrats, rushed through the process in typical D.C. fashion. They are clearly concerned about his way of governing.

“So some of my colleagues will admit privately, but not always publicly, that they understand that we are facing the greatest challenge that Congress has ever faced,” Johnson explains.

CBN's David Brody interviews House Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill (Photo: Mario Gonzalez/CBN News)

A push to overthrow Johnson

That hasn't stopped Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene – sometimes referred to simply as MTG – from filing a resignation petition to remove Speaker Johnson. She does not believe that he is sufficiently committed to conservative political positions. Of course, that's not easy when the Democrats control the White House and the Senate and you barely have a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. “I have virtually no say in negotiating and getting a better package,” Johnson said.

On whether the House Speaker has spoken to MTG, he tells CBN News: “I tried during the two-week recess. She had no interest in speaking.”

The fiery Georgia congresswoman essentially called Johnson a deep state agent and also attacked his faith. “I try to follow all the Bible exhortations like I do every day,” Johnson explains. “One of them says, 'Bless those who persecute you.' I'm learning a lot in that right now and it's called, “A gentle word turns away anger.”

However, that doesn't mean he won't fight back against her threat. “We need to show the American people that we can keep the train on the tracks, and so filing a motion to evict or recall a speaker now is the exact opposite of what we need to show the country.”

Some in the Republican Party fear that if Johnson is ousted, a Democratic spokesman could emerge. Johnson agrees. “If the presidency becomes vacant, it is entirely possible that you will get a Democratic speaker,” he explains.

Another battle is coming up: Speaker Johnson must decide whether he wants to vote on a bill to fund Ukraine, which the Conservative members don't want. This could result in this application being revoked. “Well, we're working with all of our members on all of these issues and trying to build the consensus that we've been talking about,” Johnson says.

CBN's David Brody interviews House Speaker Mike Johnson on Capitol Hill (Photo: Mario Gonzalez/CBN News)

About abortion

On the issue of abortion, it will be difficult for the GOP to reach consensus, especially now that former President Trump just refused to support a federal abortion ban — a move the ardent pro-life spokesman explains to us , he understands him.

“What we have to do now, our challenge is to build a culture of life… before you can build a political consensus on such a controversial issue, you first have to build a cultural consensus.”

So does that mean that not pursuing a federal abortion ban now is the smart move in these political times? “Well, I say we recognize right now that there are no votes in Congress for a federal ban at any level,” spokesman Johnson told CBN News. “Its a lot to do.”

The Democrats' strategy on illegal immigration

One issue on which House Republicans appear to agree is illegal immigration. They argue that President Biden's policies have been disastrous for America. “I think they want this open border and I think their actions show that,” Johnson said.

When asked why they want an open border, Johnson presented his theory. “It sounds like a conspiracy theory, but I think it's actually true that the ultimate goal is to turn some of these illegals into voters for their cause and change the outcome of the 2030 census, because if you have the people can be strategically distributed throughout the country.” And by placing them in strategic locations, the census counts not just citizens, but all residents. And that could have a dramatic impact on the map in Congress, and it sounds to me like it does. But I think that's what they do.

A deep Christian faith

Johnson will certainly speak his mind, particularly when it comes to his Christian faith – a stance that has drawn some criticism.

“We were ridiculed in the press, and mercilessly,” Johnson says. “They tried to attack me and my family – my wife and my children. And look, we're not going to let that intimidate us. I mean, that’s what’s going to happen if you stand for the truth.”

When asked if he saw America in terms of spiritual warfare, he didn't hesitate. “That's right, I mean, if you're a Christian, that's how you understand these things,” Johnson told CBN News. “We are really in a battle of worldviews at the moment. It's not even a fight between Republicans and Democrats anymore. They are two competing visions of what kind of nation we are, who we are as a people… think Marxism, Communism, Socialism is based on the belief that there is no Creator, that there is no God. And that is the basis of their faith.

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When asked what would happen to America if this godless philosophy prevailed, he laid out the result clearly. “Ronald Reagan said if we ever forget that we are one nation under God, we will be a perished nation.”

Speaker Johnson is committed to doing his best to ensure this does not happen on his watch. “I have no value other than a servant,” Johnson says. “I'm trying to be a servant leader here and in a very challenging time and circumstances… and that's my humble prayer every day that we will be able to serve well while bringing glory to God. “”