House Republican tells reporter to ‘shut up’ for asking Johnson about overturning 2020 election

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) was among a group of Republican lawmakers who shouted at a reporter who asked Vice Conference Chair and Speaker nominee Mike Johnson (R-La.) about his involvement in attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

ABC News reporter Rachel Scott was attempting to ask Johnson about his stance on the issue during a press conference Tuesday evening, after he became the latest Speaker nominee.

Johnson was surrounded by various members of the House GOP, who began to laugh and shout as Scott was asking her question. Foxx, one of the members near Johnson, yelled “shut up.”

Foxx has been known for frequently scolding reporters and staff for being on or near members-only elevators in Capitol buildings. She recently told a group of reporters to “get away from the damned elevator.”

In the video, captured by C-SPAN, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said “oh god” in response to the question. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) laughed.

Many other members booed Scott for her inquiry.

Johnson smiled, shook his head and said “next question.”

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The Louisiana Republican became the GOP’s fourth nominee for Speaker on Tuesday. He earned the nomination just hours after House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) clinched the nomination but was forced to drop out amid opposition.

The first two nominees, Scalise and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), also failed to garner enough votes.

Johnson is known to be an ally of former President Trump and a defender during his impeachment trials.

He was one of 139 House Republicans who voted to object the 2020 election results in Arizona, Pennsylvania or both in the hours that followed the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, and was among more than 100 House Republicans to sign a 2020 amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit that aimed to overturn the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The House has now gone three weeks without an elected Speaker. The GOP is becoming increasingly desperate in in its quest to find someone for the position former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted in a historic vote earlier this month.