Mike Johnson Drops a BOMBSHELL on Separation of Church and State at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

Speaker Mike Johnson Says the Separation of Church and State Has Been Twisted Beyond Recognition

House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered a powerful address at the 2026 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast on March 19 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., declaring that the concept of "separation of church and state" is "one of the most misunderstood issues in American society."

Johnson, an evangelical Christian and former constitutional law professor, told the audience of approximately 1,500 guests that the phrase does not appear anywhere in the United States Constitution. Instead, he explained, it originated in a personal letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association.

Jefferson clearly did not mean that wall to keep religion from influencing our government and public life.

Johnson argued that secular advocacy groups have taken Jefferson's words and "turned them around," weaponizing the phrase to push religion out of public discourse entirely. He stated that the Founders actually intended to protect the church and the religious practice of citizens from an encroaching government, not the other way around.

The Speaker emphasized that "a free society and a healthy republic depend upon religious and moral virtue," adding that such convictions prevent governmental abuse of power and preserve fundamental freedoms. His remarks came as America approaches its 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Mike Johnson Defends Faith in Government at National Catholic Prayer Breakfast 2026

Johnson told the crowd that America has "always been sustained by prayer and been reliant upon our foundation of religion and morality and it's in the DNA of our nation and who we are." The event also featured a papal message from Pope Leo XIV read by retired Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, along with remarks from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and actor Jonathan Roumie of "The Chosen."

A message from President Trump, delivered by Domestic Policy Director Vince Haley, reaffirmed the administration's commitment to protecting religious freedom. The 21st annual breakfast honored prayer app founders with its Christifideles Laici Award.

The Crusader's Opinion

Speaker Johnson is exactly right. The phrase "separation of church and state" has been hijacked by people who want to strip every trace of God from public life. The Founders never intended that. They fled religious tyranny to build a nation where faith could flourish freely, not one where Christians are told to sit down and be silent. Every single signer of the Declaration acknowledged a Creator. Every early Congress opened with prayer. The attempt to scrub God from America's foundations is not constitutional scholarship. It is cultural warfare against the faith that built this civilization. We will not be silenced.

Take Action

• Share: Post this article and remind people that "separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution. Start the conversation with your family and community.
• Contact Your Representative: Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224 3121 and urge your elected officials to protect religious liberty in every piece of legislation.
• Pray: Join the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast community in praying for our leaders and the preservation of religious freedom in America. Visit catholicprayerbreakfast.com.
• Donate: Support organizations defending religious liberty, including First Liberty Institute and The Shepherd's Shield.
• Educate: Read Thomas Jefferson's actual letter to the Danbury Baptists and share the historical context with others who have been misled about its meaning.