Steve Bannon, a prominent figure in right-wing media and former White House chief strategist, criticized an upcoming event featuring former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, labeling it as “meaningless.”
The event, scheduled to address election integrity, will take place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Bannon’s remarks, made on the conservative social media platform Gettr, denounced Johnson as a “gutless hack” and questioned the sincerity of the event in confronting what Bannon perceives as the “Deep State.”
In Bannon’s view, Johnson’s participation in the event was misguided, suggesting that he should have been advocating for stricter limitations on government surveillance, particularly regarding Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Bannon’s criticism comes in the wake of the House’s vote to renew the law, which allows the government to collect electronic communications from non-American citizens abroad without a warrant for intelligence purposes. Despite some opposition within the Republican Party, the legislation was ultimately supported by a significant majority.
Steve Bannon (Credits: The New York Times)
Trump’s own stance on the issue was evident in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he simply wrote: “KILL FISA.” This aligns with his broader anti-establishment narrative and distrust of government surveillance powers. Johnson, however, has faced criticism not only from Bannon but also from fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene has questioned Johnson’s leadership, particularly regarding fiscal matters such as government spending and aid funding for Ukraine.
The tension between Johnson and Greene highlights broader divisions within the Republican Party, with Greene aligning herself closely with Trump’s agenda and seeking his endorsement in her disputes with party leadership.
Bannon’s support for Greene’s efforts to remove Johnson from his position underscores his alignment with the more disruptive elements within the GOP. The power struggle within the party reflects differing visions of its future direction, with Trump’s influence looming large.
Sarah Longwell, founder of the Republican Accountability Project, provided insight into the Johnson-Greene feud, characterizing it as a struggle for Trump’s backing within the party’s ranks. Both Johnson and Greene seek Trump’s support, positioning themselves as allies of the former president and vying for influence within the “MAGA establishment.” Longwell’s analysis highlights the complex dynamics at play, as various factions within the GOP vie for control and seek to define the party’s identity in the post-Trump era.
