### Speaker Mike Johnson Dodges 2020 Election Legitimacy Question, Eyes 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson has made it clear he doesn't wish to discuss the 2020 election results, focusing instead on the upcoming 2024 elections. Speaking to ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos, Johnson accused the mainstream media of playing a "gotcha game" by trying to get leading Republicans to discuss past elections. "We're talking about the future. We're going to talk about 2024 and how we're going to solve the problems for the American people," Johnson emphasized.

However, Stephanopoulos was not simply rehashing the past. His questions about 2020 were relevant to the looming 2024 election, especially regarding the willingness of the Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, to accept the results. The legitimacy of the 2020 election has been a contentious issue, with Trump and his supporters, including Johnson, refusing to acknowledge Joe Biden's victory—a stance that has trickled down throughout the party.

Stephanopoulos's interview with Johnson came at a pivotal time. Recently, during a vice-presidential debate, Sen. JD Vance avoided confirming Biden's 2020 win. This detail was critical as Johnson, now the House leader, will play a significant role in validating the 2024 presidential results. Johnson reiterated his commitment to fulfilling Congress's responsibilities concerning the electoral process but simultaneously cast doubts by stressing the need for a "free, fair, and safe election.”

Citing potential threats to election integrity, Johnson mentioned concerns about foreign interference, particularly from Iran, and illegal voting by noncitizens. These are concerns predominantly expressed by Republicans, spurred by leaders like Johnson and Trump, even though instances of such activities are minimal.

The persistent questioning of the 2020 election’s legitimacy serves to expose which Republican officials might continue supporting Trump’s false claims and potentially undermine the 2024 election results. This issue goes beyond the procedures of counting electoral votes; it touches on the broader efforts by Republicans to resist or disrupt the certification process and breed distrust in the electoral system.

Considering the aftermath of the 2020 election, with numerous Trump supporters facing criminal charges for their actions, the willingness of Republicans to rehash these narratives again becomes crucial. Assessing whether GOP leaders acknowledge Biden's 2020 win provides insight into their preparedness to counter any future attempts by Trump to delegitimize election outcomes.

In sum, asking House Speaker Mike Johnson about his stance on the 2020 election isn't merely a look back but a critical inquiry into how the Republican leadership might handle similar challenges in 2024. Johnson's reluctance to firmly address this issue signals his stance on the forthcoming election, raising questions about his readiness to uphold democratic principles amidst partisan pressure.