Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) is facing renewed backlash after once again using rhetoric that mirrors the talking points of America’s adversaries—this time describing the United States as both the “world’s number one bully” and “the Great Satan.” Johnson made the comments during an interview with far-left host Dean Obeidallah, doubling down on language long used by Iranian extremists to justify hostility toward the United States.
Johnson, who first became widely known for suggesting that the island of Guam might “tip over and capsize” if too many U.S. troops were deployed there, used the interview to paint America as a global aggressor. He claimed the country behaves like a playground bully, wielding power simply because it can.
“We are the world’s number one bully, and we are using our immense unrivaled power to rule over those who have less power,” Johnson declared. He then added, “This sends a shocking message to the world that America is indeed the — what did they used to call it — the great hand of Satan, or something like that.”
He followed up by insisting that under President Trump, the moniker “Great Satan” was somehow justified. “America under the Trump regime is demonstrating that that moniker is entirely accurate. That’s what we’ve become in this country, the great Satan,” he said.
Johnson’s comments echo rhetoric used by anti-American terror groups and authoritarian regimes, language that U.S. officials across the political spectrum have long condemned. For a sitting member of Congress to repeat those same descriptions has raised questions about his judgment and perspective on America’s role in the world.
Democrat Hank Johnson directly echoes propaganda from the terrorist Iranian regime.
JOHNSON: "We are the world's number one bully…America is indeed…the great hand of Satan…the great Satan." pic.twitter.com/3JxrccCqLY
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) December 8, 2025
This is also not the first time Johnson has made headlines for questionable statements. During a congressional hearing on military expansion in Guam, Johnson infamously suggested the island could physically flip over if too many personnel were stationed there.
“My fear is that the whole island will become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize,” he said. Admiral Robert Willard, then head of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, responded with remarkable composure: “We don’t anticipate that.”
The Guam comment instantly became a symbol of Johnson’s tendency toward startling and sometimes baffling claims. His latest remarks—casting the United States as a global villain—are only adding to that reputation.
Critics argue that adopting the rhetoric of America’s adversaries does nothing to strengthen the country or its standing abroad. Instead, they say, it reinforces hostile propaganda and undermines the sacrifices of Americans serving overseas. At a time when foreign threats continue to rise, Johnson’s remarks stand in stark contrast to the strong national defense posture many voters expect from their elected officials.
As the clip circulates, conservatives are calling attention to Johnson’s pattern of extreme statements, questioning why a member of Congress would amplify phrases designed to demonize the United States. For now, Johnson appears unbothered by the backlash—but his words have once again put him at the center of a very public controversy.
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