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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was mockingly accused by critics on social media of trying to “out-Bible the Pope” after he attempted to use scripture to defend the Trump administration’s hardline immigration agenda.
Johnson, a Southern Baptist, was asked to comment on Chicago-born Pope Leo’s citing of Matthew 25:35 as the current leader of the Roman Catholic Church urged “deep reflection” on how migrants are treated in the United States.
On Tuesday, Migrant Insider editor Pablo Manríquez asked Johnson in a clip shared by Newsmax: “Pope Leo has cited Matthew 25:35 to critique Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. How would you respond to Pope Leo in scripture?”
“So you want me to give you a theological dissertation?” Johnson replied. “Alright. I tell you what. I’ll post it on my website later today, but let me give you a quick summary.”
Q: Pope Leo cited Matthew 25:35 to critique Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. How would you respond to Pope Leo in scripture?
MIKE JOHNSON: Sovereign borders are biblical and right and just. It's not because we hate the people on the outside. It's because we love the… pic.twitter.com/eS4A5dtXRt
Johnson argued that the Bible welcomed immigration but teaches that “assimilation is expected and anticipated and proper.”
“When someone comes into your country, comes into your nation, they do not have the right to change its laws or to change a society,” he said. “They’re expected to assimilate. We haven’t had a lot of that going on.”
Johnson claimed scripture requires civil authorities “to maintain order,” which he accused the Biden-Harris administration of not doing.
“We did not take care of our borders,” he said. “Sovereign borders are biblical and good and right and they’re just, because it’s not because we hate the people on the outside, it’s because we love the people on the inside.”
“We should love our neighbor as ourselves, as individuals, but as a civil authority and the government has to maintain the law and that is biblical and it’s right and it’s just,” he added.
Afterwards, Johnson shared his argument in a 1,300-word post on X, formerly Twitter:
In the press gaggle following today's vote, I was asked to defend the Biblical case for border security and immigration enforcement. I did so, and then promised to post a longer explanation that I drafted during the Biden Administration. Here it is, and I hope it's helpful:… pic.twitter.com/tHC4kf7uEC
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 3, 2026The response quickly drew backlash online, with critics accusing Johnson of hypocrisy and cherry-picking scripture to justify the policy.
"in group" vs "out group" framed in a Christian-Nationalist's biblical world view, applied to geopolitics. Even by a strictly fundamentalist's interpretation of scripture, by not loving the out group, you fail to follow God's instruction & practical example in Christ's death.
— NicotinePolacrilex (@NPolacrilex) February 3, 2026Matthew 25:35
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in”
I agree that borders should be built to protect us from criminals. But I also believe-- as did Abraham Lincoln-- that we should welcome anyone with no record of criminal behavior who simply seeks safety and an opportunity to better themselves.
— Fred Cantu (@fredcantu) February 3, 2026Ill post it on my website later when ive had a chance to look it up and cherry pick something. In the meantime, let me give you this gobbelty gook that was prepared for me.
— MIKDUB🇺🇸🍀🌊 (@McDuB126) February 3, 2026Uh, given this, I have questions about Greenland sovereignty, Canada sovereignty ... #USPolitics
— Alex Cullen (@Alex_S_Cullen) February 4, 2026"I was a stranger and you kidnapped and deported me". Matthew 25:35, as modified by Pastor Mike.
— Dj Omega Mvp (@DjOmegaMVP) February 3, 2026“An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to seek the child to destroy him.”
— the Gospel of Matthew
“We’re with Herod.”
— Christian America https://t.co/xz61Jhq1EG
So Johnson admits that he hates the people on “the outside.” At last, a shred of self-awareness.
— DT Wilkinson (@WilkinsonD6684) February 3, 2026I'll take the head of an actual Christian Church as the authority, not some hypocritical Senator with no degree in theology, thank you.
— Kathy Wutkowski (@onekainen) February 3, 2026Watching a politician try to out-Bible the Pope to defend mass deportations is wild. You can dress it up in scripture all you want, but twisting faith to fit policy like this just feels dishonest and cynical.
— MJ (@MJStacking) February 3, 2026That doesn’t refute what Pope Leo said at all…and it was a whole lot of nothing that came out of Johnson’s mouth.
— ChaosWitch🐸 (@TaurusWitch2010) February 3, 2026In other words, we welcome every white Christian that dislikes, other people that aren’t white Christians.
— jp (@ChefjparkJohn) February 3, 2026“Love the people on the inside,” he says — while slamming the door on the hungry, the stranger, the refugee.
Selective scripture. Convenient mercy.
Perfect for politicians who weaponize God.
Borders become holy when cruelty needs a blessing —
and suddenly compassion is called…
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