'Unqualified twerp': Experts mock Johnson’s constant 'pained expression' during SOTU

During President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Thursday night, Republican lawmakers either remained silent or boo'd the president's comments a few times, as several political experts and journalists pointed out that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) managed to remain unmoved while wearing the same "smirk" nearly the entire hour.

Biden opened his speech calling on lawmakers to back funding for Ukraine in the country's fight against Russian aggression, and the president also directly addressed US Supreme Court justices, warning them that he will continue to ensure reproductive rights for women. He also condemned the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and called for an end to political violence. Still, Johnson stayed seated.

The speaker, however, did stand and applaud Biden's recognition of the late US Rep. John Lewis' (D-GA), fight for voting rights up until his death in 2020. When the president went on to encourage lawmakers to pass the John R. Lewis Voting RIghts Advancement Act of 2023, the speaker, again, remained seated.

READ MORE: Biden torches Trump at SOTU for 'bowing down to a Russian leader'

The Guardian reporter Hugo Lowell commented, "impressive how speaker johnson has managed to maintain the same pained expression for almost an hour."

MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann wrote, "Mike Johnson needs an expression other than a smirk."

USA Today columnist Rex Hippie said, "Mike Johnson, with his facial expressions, is perfectly encapsulating the d—ck-ish, smug, unjustified sense of superiority of the Trumpian right. An unqualified twerp thrust into a position of power. #SOTU2024"

The anti-Trump group Lincoln Project's Rick Wilson added, "Mike Johnson won’t even stand in condemnation of Vladimir Putin. P—sy."

Mike Murphy said, "Mike Johnson wouldn’t stand to clap for ending cancer #SOTU"

READ MORE: 'They’d remove him': Ex-senator predicts Johnson 'afraid' of Greene as her MAGA hat violates rule

The Recount tweeted, "President Biden slams congressional Republicans in a remarkably straightforward way, saying 'some of you here seek to bury the truth about January 6th.' Behind him, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) rolls his eyes and shakes his head."

Media Matters for America fellow Matthew Gertz added, "MIKE JOHNSON IS AGAINST EVERY CHILD LEARNING TO READ BY THIRD GRADE COME ON MAN."