‘Abomination’: Republicans Blasted for Remarks at Jimmy Carter’s Memorial Service
By Jake Beardslee ·
January 8, 2025
The memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter in the Capitol Rotunda has sparked controversy due to speeches delivered by Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). Critics expressed discontent, accusing Johnson and Thune of being inappropriate choices to honor Carter. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Some attendees and commentators took issue with inaccuracies in Johnson’s remarks, such as his incorrect assertion that President Jimmy Carter served in the Army. Carter, in fact, was the only U.S. president to graduate from the Naval Academy and serve aboard a nuclear submarine.
Kieran Francke, a Democratic Committee member from Pennsylvania, highlighted the error on Bluesky, stating, “Mike Johnson just said that Jimmy Carter was in the Army! Wrong—he is the only president to ever graduate from the Naval Academy! He was on one of the first nuclear submarines ever.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Hillary Lake, a retired journalist, praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her “grace and class” in her tribute to Carter, asserting in a post on X that it underscored the shortcomings of Johnson’s speech. Artist Candee Corliss echoed the sentiment, stating the speeches by Johnson and Thune made her “skin crawl.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A retired Navy veteran added to the criticism, stating, “It is an abomination to have a bigot like Mike Johnson standing and speaking words about equality and non-discrimination at a memorial for Jimmy Carter.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Fox News also drew criticism for choosing not to broadcast the memorial remarks, instead airing its regular program, "The Five." Ted Johnson, a correspondent for Deadline, noted this deviation in a post on X, contrasting it with the widespread coverage by other networks. Fox News Channel / Wikimedia
