Mike Johnson Misattributes Prayer to Jefferson

After being re-elected Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson attributed a prayer to Thomas Jefferson, claiming it was recited daily by the president during his time in office and thereafter. However, historians and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation have refuted this claim, stating there is no evidence Jefferson ever delivered or wrote the prayer, which actually appears in the 1928 United States Book of Common Prayer. Critics argue that Johnson's assertion is part of a larger effort by Christian nationalists to misrepresent the founding fathers' views on religion and government. The foundation emphasized that Jefferson considered religion a private matter and would likely not have composed a public prayer. Johnson's comments have sparked backlash from scholars and commentators who highlight the importance of accurate historical representation. Despite the controversy, Johnson has not responded to requests for clarification on his statements.