EXCLUSIVE — Where’s Speaker Johnson on UAPs? “We’re good,” Tim Burchett says

Immediately after House Republicans picked the party’s new leader on Capitol Hill, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), along with 5 of the 8 other Republicans who ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy three weeks ago, rushed to address the congressional press corps before newly minted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) did.

The congressional press corps awaits Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) outside the Capitol. Photo: Matt Laslo

The group was in a rush—as you’ll hear in the audio, which includes the first portion of their impromptu press conference—but Ask a Pol got one quick UFO (or UAPs—Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) question in to Burchett about Speaker Johnson.

“You ever talk to him about UAPs?” 

“Yeah,” Burchett replied. “We’re good.”

Burchett then joined his Republican colleagues—Reps. Matt Rosendale (MT), Nancy Mace (SC), Matt Gaetz (FL), Eli Crane (AZ) and Bob Good (VA)—in declaring a new day on Capitol Hill.

Reps. Burchett, Matt Rosendale (MT), Nancy Mace (SC), Matt Gaetz (FL), Eli Crane (AZ) and Bob Good (VA) speak to reporters after Republicans unanimously supported now Speaker Mike Johnson. Photo: Matt Laslo

We left as much of the press conference audio as we recorded on the end of our brief exchange with Burchett.

Matt Laslo’s a veteran congressional correspondent, new media prof. and founder of Ask a Pol — the people-powered press corps. 

Ask a Pol is a new, people-powered press corps, asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. Follow us on the socials @Ask_a_Pol (or @askpols on Insta).