Speaking at AmericaFest, the annual conference hosted by Turning Point USA, House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered a keynote address focused on what he described as the spiritual and philosophical foundations of the United States. Johnson argued that current political disagreements reflect a deeper clash of worldviews rather than ordinary partisan competition.
Addressing a large audience of conservative activists, Johnson said the nation is facing a defining moment over how Americans understand freedom, authority, and human dignity. He praised Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as a figure who, in his words, clearly understood the stakes of today’s cultural debates and remained steadfast in his convictions.
Johnson reflected on his own background, noting that he has been involved in the conservative movement for more than two decades and previously worked as a constitutional attorney. During his legal career, he said, he focused on cases involving religious liberty, family life, and the protection of human life. According to Johnson, Kirk’s influence came not from political messaging techniques but from personal conviction. He described Kirk as someone who communicated authentically by living according to the values he promoted.
The Speaker encouraged attendees to honor Kirk’s legacy by continuing to advocate for principles such as faith, family, freedom, personal responsibility, and patriotism, while maintaining a respectful and principled approach. Johnson said Kirk often emphasized the importance of understanding why the United States became one of the most prosperous and free nations in history, warning that societies that forget the origins of their liberty risk losing it.
One of the most discussed moments of the speech came when Johnson contrasted historical systems of government based on the “divine right of kings” with the ideas expressed in America’s Declaration of Independence. In earlier political models, he explained, authority flowed from a monarch to the people. In contrast, the American founding asserted that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with inherent rights. Under this framework, government does not grant rights but exists to protect rights that precede the state.
Johnson cited Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” emphasizing that self-government requires moral responsibility from citizens. He also referenced George Washington’s belief that religion and morality support political prosperity, as well as John Adams’ assertion that the Constitution was designed for a moral and religious people.
According to Johnson, when societies remove moral or religious foundations from public life, other ideologies tend to fill the void. He warned that this can lead to systems where human worth is measured by power, status, or political alignment rather than inherent dignity.
In his closing remarks, Johnson thanked supporters for their role in recent electoral victories and said Congress has worked closely with President Donald Trump over the past year to advance legislative priorities. He described the 2026 midterm elections as a critical moment and urged conservatives to remain engaged, avoid internal division, and continue participating in public life with conviction and respect for others.