Mike Johnson rose from a constitutional lawyer and Christian conservative activist to become Speaker of the House in October 2023, following the historic ouster of Kevin McCarthy. Known for his deep evangelical faith and legal background defending religious liberty cases, he has been a staunch advocate for conservative social policies and played a significant role in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. His unexpected elevation to the speakership came after serving as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, where he built a reputation as an articulate defender of conservative principles and a unifying figure among the party's various factions.