House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., warned that the United States is engaged in a "battle" against Marxism, arguing the ideology is gaining traction as Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates notch high-profile primary victories. Speaking at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Summit in San Diego, Johnson framed the nation's 250th anniversary as an opportunity to push back against what he described as growing socialist influence and renew appreciation for America's founding principles.
"We are in a confrontation, in a battle against a very dark philosophy — Marxism, and its deviations, communism and socialism," Johnson said. "You see, the problem that I tell university students is, this formula that Lincoln later articulated in the Gettysburg Address, we're dedicated to this proposition that we are one nation under God, and that a government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
The ADF Summit is an annual conference that brings together leaders in law, government, business, media, education, and the Christian community to discuss religious freedom, free speech, and other public policy issues. In addition to Johnson, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador, conservative influencer Allie Beth Stuckey, and Admiral Brian Christine, who serves as Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), also attended.
Johnson went on to describe an illustration he says he often uses while speaking on college campuses, arguing that America's founders grounded individual rights in God rather than government. He contended that abandoning that principle leads to socialism, communism, and concentrated government power.
The ADF Summit 2026 brought together leaders from law, public policy, media, business, education, and Christian organizations. ADF stated that the event celebrated the historic 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by exploring the role of the founders and "why our founders held certain truths to be self-evident and what we must do to reclaim the spirit of 1776 today."
"ADF was deeply honored to welcome Speaker Johnson as a keynote speaker at our annual Summit," said Kristen Waggoner, president, CEO, and chief counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom. "Those who knew Speaker Johnson early in his career—when he worked alongside us at ADF—have been unsurprised to watch him bring the same grace, resolve, and fidelity to principle to one of the most difficult jobs in Washington," Waggoner added. "His remarks on America’s spiritual heritage provided the ideal capstone to our week at Summit, where we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the American founding."
Delivering the final speech to close out the four-day event in California, Johnson shared that he often seeks opportunities to educate young people about American history.