Rep. Tim Burchett had an interesting way of praising embattled House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday amid uncertainty over his future as head of the chamber.
The Tennessee Republican spoke favorably of Johnson’s bid for the gavel this week, at least in part because he has not had an affair—something that he finds “very appealing in Washington, D.C.,” he said.
On Fox News' Your World, Burchett was asked about how president-elect Donald Trump earlier in the day publicly backed Johnson’s reelection as speaker. A vote is scheduled for Friday.
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“Is your mind solidified?” Fox host Edward Lawrence asked. “Is he the guy?”
Burchett, who would go on to speak kindly of his colleague, said he still had to decide whether Johnson would get his vote.
“I liked the way he handled the [omnibus bill], but ultimately I’ll make up my mind Friday or so—when we do the votes. I’ll pray about it,” Burchett said, adding that he intended on speaking with Johnson and Trump sometime before then.
“President Trump is very compelling,” he continued. “There is nobody bigger than him, and I don’t think too many people want to tangle with him, especially on this. And you know, our members taking shots across the aisle—that’s just what the news does. The legacy media, the try to tear the Republican Party down. But I’m hoping for some big things out of us this year.“
When asked if he believed Trump’s endorsement will be enough to avoid the type of multi-ballot scenario that resulted in Johnson himself holding the gavel, Burchett said Johnson “ultimately will” be re-elected.
“I think the die has been cast,” he said.
“Mike’s been a good friend to me and there’s nobody more honest that I have dealt with in Washington. He’s a fine Christian man. He’s not a religious man; he’s a Christian man,” Burchett went on.
“And,” he continued, “he doesn’t cheat on his wife, and I find that very appealing in Washington, D.C.”
That comment elicited a laugh from Lawrence, but no follow-up.
The last time a member of Congress made a comment like that during an interview, it was then-Rep. Madison Cawthorn—who alleged, without naming names, that he had been invited to orgies and that he had seen lawmakers using cocaine in front of him.
