HAMBACH DEMOCRACY PAPER 1/23 Progressive Tradition. European Vision. White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip S. Gorski O On October 25, 2023, the US House of Representatives elected Mike Johnson – a little-known Republican Congressman from Louisiana – to the office of Speaker of the House. As such, Johnson not only presides over the House of Representatives; he is also second in line for the Presidency following Vice President Kamala Harris. What does Johnson’s unexpected elevation tell us about the current state of the Republican Party? And the future of American Democracy? In short: nothing good. Johnson is a White Christian Nationalist, and White Christian National­ism(WCN) is a reactionary ideology that is deeply at odds with some of the most basic tenets of liberal democracy. 1 Until recently, WCN operated out of view and behind the scenes. No more. It is now out in the open and at the commanding heights of power. Which is exactly where it wants to be. 2 What is White Christian Nationalism(WCN)? WCN is many things. For one, a fusion of racial, religious and national identity, an identity that lays claim to cultural and political privilege. 3 From this perspective, being a“real American” means being a conservative(usually white) Christian, and vice versa. WCN is also a political ideology that says,“we built America, it’s our country, and we are going to take it back.” Mak­ing America great again, means making it Chris­tian again – a particular kind of Christian. And that means imposing a certain set of“values” on the country. Ideally, by writing them into law. WCN is also a political vision, a set of social and policy prescriptions. 4 Amongst other things, proponents of WCN are against abortion, gay marriage, transgender rights, public schooling, gun regulations and social 1 Thomas Edsall,“‘The Embodiment of White Christian Nationalism in a Tailored Suit’,” Opinion, Guest Essay, The New York Times , November 1 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/opinion/mike-johnson-christian-nationalism-speaker.html. 2 Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshipers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (New York: Bloomsbury, 2020). 3 Bradley B. Onishi, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism – and What Comes Next (Minneapolis, MN: Broadleaf Books, 2023). 4 Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 2020). 1