Mike Johnson's Secretive Pastor Roommate Exposed - IHIP News

IHIP News Episode Summary

Episode Title: Mike Johnson's Secretive Pastor Roommate Exposed
Release Date: March 10, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan

Introduction

In this episode of IHIP News, hosts Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan delve into the controversial living arrangements of Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of the United States. Known for his strong evangelical Christian beliefs, Johnson's personal life has come under scrutiny following revelations about his association with Reverend Steve Berger, a fellow evangelical preacher. This exposé uncovers the intertwining of religion and politics within the Republican leadership, raising concerns about the separation of church and state.

Mike Johnson: The Evangelical Speaker

Mike Johnson, a prominent evangelical Christian, has ascended to the role of Speaker of the House despite his unconventional beliefs. Johnson claims that God speaks to him and has identified himself as Moses, a statement that has both baffled and intrigued political observers. Despite these extraordinary claims, Johnson secured his position with significant support from the Republican Party, highlighting the party's alignment with evangelical values.

Jennifer Welch (00:00): "Mike Johnson... is a big, big evangelical Christian who says that God speaks to him and God told him that he was Moses."

Steve Berger: The Influential Pastor

Steve Berger, the evangelical pastor with whom Johnson resides, plays a pivotal role in shaping the political discourse among Republican lawmakers. Berger has openly criticized the separation of church and state, labeling it a "delusional lie" and a "demonic set" (00:35). His mission involves ministering to members of Congress with the aim of translating their religious beliefs into public policy. Berger operates out of a lavish six-bedroom townhouse near the U.S. Capitol, serving as a hub for evangelical influence within Congress.

Jennifer Welch (02:15): "Steve Berger... has attacked the separation of church and state as a 'delusional lie' and called multinational institutions a 'demonic set.'"

The Unusual Living Arrangements

ProPublica's investigative journalism has shed light on the peculiar household dynamics between Mike Johnson and Steve Berger. Since early 2025, Johnson has been residing with Berger in his multi-million-dollar townhouse. Reports indicate that Johnson primarily occupies the basement, leading to speculations about the nature of their relationship and its impact on his political decisions.

Jennifer Welch (04:00): "House Speaker Mike Johnson has been staying at the home since around the beginning of this year."

Controversial Practices and Beliefs

Berger's influence extends beyond just living arrangements. He has been vocal about his opposition to the World Health Organization and COVID-19 vaccines, predicting dire consequences for young people as a result (05:45). Berger also condemned the World Economic Forum, accusing it of leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to advance a "satanic plot." These extreme viewpoints reflect a broader trend of skepticism towards scientific institutions within certain evangelical circles.

Jennifer Welch (06:30): "He is vehemently opposed to the World Health Organization... and recently predicted that COVID-19 vaccines will result in, quote, young people dropping dead all over the place."

Implications for Policy and Governance

The intertwining of religious fervor and political power poses significant questions about policy-making and governance. Johnson's alignment with Berger and similar evangelical leaders suggests a legislative agenda heavily influenced by specific religious doctrines. This relationship raises concerns about the erosion of secularism in government affairs.

Jennifer Welch (08:20): "These pro-life politicians... do not give a shit about [COVID-19 deaths]... and then somehow the COVID-19 is satanic."

Personal Lives and Public Hypocrisy

The podcast also touches upon the personal lives of those involved, highlighting what the hosts perceive as hypocrisy among evangelical leaders. Johnson's wife is criticized for funding anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives in Louisiana, which contrasts sharply with the questionable personal conduct exhibited by figures like Berger, who have been accused of moral misconduct.

Jennifer Welch (10:10): "Moses Mike is a guy that took his daughter to a purity ball and put a ring on her finger, claiming her virginity. I mean, this is insanity."

The Broader Republican Landscape

Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan use Mike Johnson's situation to critique the broader Republican Party, suggesting that similar issues of moral and ethical compromise are widespread among its leaders. They argue that the party's entanglement with extremist evangelical elements is detrimental to the nation's democratic values.

Jennifer Welch (12:00): "It is utterly insane that so many evangelical MAGA Republicans are all a part of all of this crazy, crazy iron age thinking with impunity."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a strong condemnation of the merging of religious zealotry and political authority within the Republican leadership. Jennifer and Angie emphasize the importance of maintaining a clear separation between church and state to preserve democratic integrity and prevent the undue influence of extremist beliefs on national policy.

Jennifer Welch (13:00): "We have to value secularism. We have to value the separation of church and state."

Notable Quotes

Jennifer Welch (00:00): "Mike Johnson... is a big, big evangelical Christian who says that God speaks to him and God told him that he was Moses."
Jennifer Welch (02:15): "Steve Berger... has attacked the separation of church and state as a 'delusional lie' and called multinational institutions a 'demonic set.'"
Jennifer Welch (04:00): "House Speaker Mike Johnson has been staying at the home since around the beginning of this year."
Jennifer Welch (06:30): "He is vehemently opposed to the World Health Organization... and recently predicted that COVID-19 vaccines will result in, quote, young people dropping dead all over the place."
Jennifer Welch (08:20): "These pro-life politicians... do not give a shit about [COVID-19 deaths]... and then somehow the COVID-19 is satanic."
Jennifer Welch (10:10): "Moses Mike is a guy that took his daughter to a purity ball and put a ring on her finger, claiming her virginity. I mean, this is insanity."
Jennifer Welch (12:00): "It is utterly insane that so many evangelical MAGA Republicans are all a part of all of this crazy, crazy iron age thinking with impunity."
Jennifer Welch (13:00): "We have to value secularism. We have to value the separation of church and state."

Final Thoughts

Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan present a scathing critique of the current state of evangelical influence within the Republican Party. Through detailed examination and compelling commentary, IHIP News sheds light on the potential dangers of allowing religious extremism to shape national policy and governance. The episode serves as a call to action for listeners to advocate for the preservation of secularism and the separation of church and state in American politics.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Foreign DC living arrangements have been revealed and they are just as bizarre and weird as you would think they would be. Mike Johnson, as everybody knows, is the speaker of the House of the United States of America who is a big big evangelical Christian who says that God speaks to him and God told him that he was Moses. Despite such crazy things, the Republicans voted for him to be their speaker and their leader in Congress. So some really fantastic journalism coming out of ProPublica has revealed that Moses Mike Johnson lives with a whack job evangelical preacher. And this preacher has this secretive influence campaign. And if you follow the most religious Republican men in their careers, they always end up up living in these fraternity style all guys prayer group, frat house situations in Washington D.C. which I think is just as weird as all get out. But let's break into the story, put up the next slide. Okay. In 2021, Steve Berger, he is the evangelical pastor who Moses Mike lives with, has attacked the separation of church and state as a quote, delusional lie and called multinational institutions demonic set off an ambitious project. He state his stated goal, minister to members of Congress so that what they learn is then translated into policy. His base of operations would be a six bedroom $3.7 million townhouse blocked from the U.S. capitol. And this is where Moses Mike lives with a man who claims the separation of church and state is demonic. I mean is this is where we are in the United States of America? This would never happen in any other first world western democracy where you would have this crazy toxic enmeshment of church and state and people that have such a black and white worldview. Okay, put up the next slide. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been staying at the home since around the beginning of this year, according to interviews obtained by ProPublica. Next slide. Here he is. There's the preacher on the left, Moses Mike on the right, and then poor Mike Johnson's wife. But not really poor because this woman funds a bunch of anti gay crap in Louisiana. All the pray the gayaway stuff, which is nothing short of complete psychological torture and abuse. Next slide. Okay. Since the beginning of the year, videos and interviews show Johnson has regularly left the house in the morning and returned in the evening. One day that Johnson was there recently, Berger was also at the home opening the front door barefoot in pajama bottoms. It appears Johnson may primarily be staying in the home's two bedroom basement. I mean talk about a basement of horrors. But could you imagine if a, if a Democrat were living in such a situation and a evangelical preacher were answering the door in basically his panties and his top off. I mean, this sounds pretty gay to me. All next one. Here they are together, the pastor Berger and Moses Mike Johnson, you know, calling out demonic practices like secularism. Okay, next up. Recently, Johnson has described his conversations with Trump to the pastor. According to Berger, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Berger said in a sermon that he'd advised some congressmen to see the conflict through the lens of Ezekiel 38 and 39, parts of the Bible some see as prophesizing a great war before the second coming. He did not specify what that meant. From a policy perspective. These people are rapture preppers. They see the horrific attack on Ukraine, a sovereign democratic nation is somehow something to do with the rapture. This is why America is spiraling down a toilet right now. Because a lot of these Republican whacked out, far, far right evangelical politicians do and believe all of this stuff with impunity because many people are too scared to call out this type of cult behavior for what it is because then they think that it's going to have the appearance that you're attacking religion. This is a terrible idea and it deserves to be completely eviscerated that Moses Mike Johnson and some preacher are thinking that the Russia Ukraine conflict has to do with the second coming of Jesus Christ. That is beyond batshit crazy. Okay, put up the next slide. An energetic 1660 year old white goatee and penchant for preaching and sneaker and sneakers and jeans, Berger has strong views on a wide range of issues, including economic policy and public health. He is vehemently opposed to the World Health Organization, which Trump moved to withdraw the United States from last month, and recently predicted that COVID 19 vaccines will result in, quote, young people dropping dead all over the place. He attacked the World Economic Forum at length in a recent sermon, accusing it of taking advantage of COVID 19 to implement their satanic plot. So here we have a guy who doesn't believe in science and the speaker of the House, the leader of the Republican Congress. I mean, you've got Trump and Musk and Putin and then Moses, Mike Johnson. And these people believe that vaccines are going to cause people to, quote, drop dead all over the place. Mind you, let's not forget that Covid caused 1 million deaths in the United States of America. But these pro life politicians don't give a shit about that. And then somehow the COVID 19 is satanic. I mean, COVID 19 vaccine is satanic. And this is the advisor to the speaker of the House of the United States of America. And I just want to Throw in Moses Mike is a guy that took his daughter to a purity ball and put a ring on her finger, claiming her virginity. I mean, this is insanity. This is completely whacked out. Nut job, crazy town. This man should not be elected as dog catcher. This is embarrassing and dangerous. Next slide. Berger is also against same sex marriage, saying it opens the door to all manner of sexual depravity and wickedness. Though he has said he has some, quote, friends who are practicing homosexuals, people he cares about, he opposes homosexuality and heterosexual sin in equal measures, he said, referring to acts like watching pornography and sex between unmarried adults. So, I mean, I don't know about if I'm reading too much into this, but is he. I oftentimes think that people that are so consumed with the LGBTQ+ movement are probably closeted gay people. So is he equating homosexuality and people having heterosexual people having sex out of marriage as kind of the same sin? So he gives himself and Moses Mike a little more cover? I don't know. That's kind of what I'm reading between the tea leaves. Okay, next slide. Okay, so the person who owns this house, this rapture prepper house that Moses Mike Johnson lives in, his name is Beeman. And he was once so fed up with restrictions that came with owning a home and on a government controlled lake that he bought a sprawling property with a 50 acre private lake of its own. He became a fixture of Nashville media in recent years because of sordid allegations made by his fourth wife during their divorce, including that he made her watch what he called, quote, training films of him having sex with a prostitute. So here you have, at the top of this rapture prepper pyramid, this guy named Beeman, who has a bunch of car dealerships and is incredibly wealthy in Nashville. He has made training tapes of himself screwing prostitutes and forced his wives to watch it. And he's such a big Jesus guy, he's let this guy Bergman live in this almost 4 million dollar townhouse in Washington D.C. to mentor people like Moses Mike Johnson, make sure Congress is prepped for the rapture. And Moses Mike Johnson, who wants to make decisions about women's health care, lives with a guy who basically. Hang on. Strike that. Cut right in here. Set. Moses Mike Johnson lives in a home that is owned by a man who screws prostitutes and then makes his wife watch them as training videos. So I guess she'll perform better in bed. Now all of this wouldn't matter. It's a free country. Do what you want. I mean, that sounds pretty abuse Abusive to the wife. I don't know if she consented or not. But Moses Mike Johnson is basically doesn't want people having premarital sex. Moses Mike Johnson somehow bends himself in a pretzel to support the guy who screwed the porn star and lied about it and was convicted of 34 felonies. But see, here's where you see the pattern with all these evangelical Christians. They can do all of this stuff with impunity, but if a Democrat does it, they're going to clutch their pearls and have a stage five meltdown. Okay, let's put up the next slide. He soon began Bible study sessions with the senators representatives, congressional aides. According to the Bergers. Meanwhile, Sarah Berger spent her time, quote, in relationship and pouring into the lives of congressional wives. Tax filings say so as in conclusion, the Republican Party is this really weird place where I think that under there's a lot of sexual issues as an undercurrent with all of these people. You have Elon Musk who has gotten has 14 kids, 14 different baby mamas, allegedly all in vitro. Rumors all over Twitter that he has a botched penile implant. Now I don't know if that's true or not. Donald Trump, Trump has, you know, as an adjudicated rapist, all of these things. Then you have Moses Mike Johnson, who spends an unusual amount of time in his life focused on anti gay issues, living with a man who answers the door topless in his pajama bottoms while Moses Mike lives down in the basement. And I just implore all of you, what is going on in that basement? What is going on? Because that place sounds like a den of iniquity if you ask me. And it is utterly insane that so many evangelical maga Republicans are all a part of all of this crazy, crazy iron age thinking with impunity. This man should not be the speaker of the House. He should not be an elected representative of this country. Maybe in Saudi Arabia, maybe in Iran, but not here. We have to value secularism. We have to value the separation of church and state. And Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to erode that because the Moses Mike's and the Moses Mike's followers of the world. The dumber you are and the less you critically think, the more they can control you. But please subscribe to our channel and we will see you all soon.