Speaker Mike Johnson was often found to be out of the loop when questioned by the press over the latest Donald Trump controversy during 2025.

Throughout 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson has repeatedly appeared out of the loop when questioned by reporters about the latest controversies surrounding President Donald Trump.

Despite presiding over what became the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the Republican leader was frequently unable — or unwilling — to respond to questions about major national and international issues tied to the White House.

When pressed on topics such as the reported $400 million Qatari jet “gift,” the release of Epstein-related files, or the controversial pardon of a cryptocurrency billionaire, Johnson often resorted to the same explanation: he hadn’t had time to follow the news closely enough to comment.

For critics, this pattern raises serious concerns about leadership and accountability. As Speaker of the House, Johnson holds one of the most powerful positions in American government, yet his repeated claims of being uninformed suggest either a troubling lack of engagement — or a deliberate strategy to avoid political fallout.

In a time of heightened public scrutiny and political instability, many Americans are left asking: Is “not knowing” an excuse, or a choice?