Trump’s Rally and Mike Johnson’s Involvement

During a high-energy rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon, Speaker Mike Johnson found himself in the spotlight as former President Donald J. Trump took center stage. In a moment that captured the attention of attendees, Mr. Trump turned to Mr. Johnson and pulled him into the unfolding drama. “I think with our little secret we’re going to do really well with the House, right?” Mr. Trump said, addressing Mr. Johnson directly. “Our little secret is having a big impact. He and I have a little secret — we will tell you what it is when the race is over.”

This playful remark, delivered with a hint of humor, sent a wave of anxiety rippling through the ranks of frightened Democrats. Many have been grappling with a sense of post-traumatic stress, haunted by the tumultuous outcomes of the past two presidential elections. As a result, they are now bracing themselves for the worst possible scenario.

In this context, the worst-case scenario looms large: a situation in which Mr. Johnson, who previously collaborated with Mr. Trump to challenge the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, would once again join forces with the former president. This time, they might attempt to subvert the election outcome and prevent the certification of results on January 6, 2025, in the event that Vice President Kamala Harris secures a win.

In a statement shared with The New York Times, the typically mild-mannered Mr. Johnson did little to alleviate these growing concerns. Instead, he appeared to validate the existence of a “little secret,” suggesting that he intends to keep it under wraps. “Speaking of secrets,” Mr. Johnson remarked, “Harris knew Biden was physically and mentally impaired and kept it a secret. The F.B.I. knew the Hunter Biden laptop was real and kept it secret. They also knew Russia collusion was fake and kept that a secret, too.”