Johnson defends calling anti-Trump protests 'hate America' rallies

The Republican House leader said he was referring to the rhetoric of protesters.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended labeling this weekend's "No Kings" rallies opposing President Donald Trump as "hate America" rallies, arguing that he was not referring to Democrats themselves but the message of the protesters.

"Just on this notion that these are, 'hate America' rallies -- and you not only talked about anarchists, antifa advocates, pro-Hamas wing -- you said this is the modern Democratic Party," ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl asked, referring to comments Johnson made last week. "But I remember not that long ago what you said after the murder of Charlie Kirk when you said that we should view fellow Americans, not as our enemies, but as our fellow countrymen."

"I've never called anybody an enemy,” Johnson said, but claimed that "there were a lot of hateful messages" during Saturday's protests.

"I mean, we have video and photos of pretty violent rhetoric calling out the president, saying fascists must die and all the rest," he added. "So it's not about the people, it's about the message."

Pressed by Karl about Johnson likening anarchists, antifa and Hamas to the modern Democratic Party, Johnson defended his remarks.

"I never said it was the whole Democratic Party, but you and I have to acknowledge the reality," Johnson said before turning his criticism to New York City's Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

"Look at what's happening in New York. They're about to elect an open socialist Marxist as the mayor of America's largest city. There's a rise of Marxism in the Democratic Party. It's an objective fact, and no one can deny it," he said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.