19 April 2025

Mike Johnson and Berger, the Eminence Grise

https://www.propublica.org/article/mike-johnson-evangelical-pastor-steve-berger-roommates

Given Berger's penchant and drive for Dominionist political activism, the claim that he and Mike Johnson don't discuss policy is not credible. Also, given that Berger is obviously connected (and this explains the reason why Johnson stays there), the claim is even less believable. Such arrangements are strategic - not expressions of generosity or mere hospitality. And it's not because Berger thinks Johnson is just a great guy.

Somehow righteousness can be legislated - as if America is in covenant with God or unbelievers can please God - at least that's how men like Berger understand the world and the Scriptures. In actuality this story is nothing new. Berger is not the first influential donor and strategist behind the scenes, but Johnson is the first Evangelical Speaker of the House and as such his position is unprecedented. However, his power is limited by the fact that he's completely tied to Trump and won't survive if he tries to pursue an independent course. As such, I reckon his days are already numbered. The juggling act will prove impossible as his predecessors - McCarthy, Ryan, and Boehner so painfully discovered. But the tightrope Johnson has to walk is more like a string of yarn or thread.

I would like to see someone do a proper investigation of Berger and how his 'righteous' interests overlap with corporate ones and how he's also tied in with some of these elements and their lobbyists. It he a 'eminence grise' to Johnson? I would say so - but one of several. Some have spoken in such terms regarding Musk and Trump but this analogy doesn't quite add up. Musk is more like a prime minister - acting publicly in an executive capacity. Figures like Berger (and there are many) are not only unelected, they hold no official position but are nevertheless influential and wield power.

When George W. Bush was president it was well known that Evangelical leaders would have a weekly phone call with the White House - not the president per se, but one of his staff and they would go over issues. For my part, I have no doubt that suggestions were made and that not a few of these Evangelical leaders would then return to their pulpits and radio microphones to echo the message. Berger is a leader exerting great influence but he's also a middle-man - and undoubtedly a corrupt one. And on that note I wasn't at all surprised to see Andy Ogles' name appear alongside that of Berger and Johnson. These men are heretics but in addition to that, they are (to be blunt) criminals, and they have hitched their wagons to a criminal administration. They all are criminal to some extent but this one has taken it to a new level.

Additionally it needs to be understood that Johnson is the lynchpin to Trump's agenda. Congress is the one institution that can stop Trump. When Trump ignores the courts, it's Congress that can call those officials to account and hold them in contempt. It is Congress that has the power to investigate the corruption. It is Congress that can call Trump to account for his out of control executive orders and legislation by decree. And the key to Congress is Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House. His abdication and capitulation marks him as not only politically weak but morally bankrupt and undoubtedly corrupt. And this is the person the Evangelicals celebrate and glory in. He is the person that is (next to Trump) making it all happen - creating the political conditions for the agenda to go through, greasing the rails, and shutting down any possible obstruction.

If anyone had any doubts, it's safe to say the ascendancy of Mike Johnson is a declaration of Ichabod - the sure sign of Evangelicalism's apostasy from the gospel and anything to do with New Testament doctrine or ethics.

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