House Speaker Mike Johnson backs Texas GOP candidate despite offensive remarks

Jake Tapper played a segment of Brendan Herrera’s past statements for House Speaker Mike Johnson, including insults toward mothers, jokes about veterans’ suicide, and a video in which Herrera handled a Nazi-era submachine gun while marching to a Nazi song. Johnson called the language “detestable” but noted Herrera had apologized and was now campaigning earnestly for a House seat in South Texas. He emphasized that Herrera’s current platform focuses on lowering costs and preserving freedoms, and he praised Herrera as a stronger opponent than his Democratic rival.

Johnson also mentioned that Herrera’s controversial online persona should not define his candidacy. Despite the revelations, Johnson continued to fund-raise for Herrera and urged him to join the Republican team in Congress.