A Democratic lawmaker is under fire after using one of the most hostile labels ever applied to the United States—echoing language long associated with America’s foreign enemies—to describe the country under President Donald Trump.
Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia made the remarks during a recent appearance on a progressive podcast, where he referred to the United States as the “Great Satan,” a term historically popularized by Iran’s ruling regime as an attack on American power and influence.
Johnson appeared on The Dean Obeidallah Show, hosted by liberal radio commentator Dean Obeidallah. During the discussion, the two criticized the Trump administration over a military operation involving a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean.
As Obeidallah suggested that the controversy was reshaping how the world views the United States, Johnson argued that America’s critics abroad were justified in their accusations.
According to Johnson, the United States is acting as a global aggressor, claiming the country uses its power unfairly and without accountability. He suggested that recent military actions undermine America’s moral standing on the world stage.
Johnson then invoked the phrase “Great Satan,” saying it accurately reflects what the United States has become under President Trump. He argued that such actions make it impossible, in his view, for Americans to claim the nation remains exceptional.
The phrase “Great Satan” is most commonly associated with Iranian leaders who have used it for decades to portray the United States as an evil force in global affairs. While Johnson acknowledged the term’s origins, he nevertheless applied it directly to America during the Trump presidency.
The comments immediately drew criticism, particularly from conservatives who argue that the remarks mirror the rhetoric of hostile foreign governments and disrespect the men and women serving in America’s armed forces.
Critics also noted that U.S. military and law-enforcement operations under President Trump have frequently targeted drug trafficking networks, criminal organizations, and security threats that directly affect American communities.
Johnson’s remarks are the latest in a long line of controversial statements that have followed him throughout his career in Congress.
In one widely ridiculed moment during a 2010 House Armed Services Committee hearing, Johnson warned that the U.S. territory of Guam could “capsize” if its population grew too large. Speaking seriously at the time, he suggested the island could physically tip over due to overpopulation—comments that quickly went viral and drew bipartisan criticism.
Johnson has also faced backlash for past remarks comparing Jewish Israeli settlers to “termites,” language that many lawmakers and advocacy groups condemned as inflammatory and inappropriate.
Despite repeated controversies, Johnson remains a vocal critic of President Trump and conservative policies. However, his latest comments have reignited concerns among many Americans about elected officials using rhetoric traditionally associated with America’s adversaries.
For many older voters, particularly those who lived through the Cold War and decades of global conflict, such language raises serious questions about how some political leaders view the United States—and how willing they are to criticize their own country on the world stage while hostile regimes cheer from the sidelines.
