Pennsylvania U.S. Representative Scott Perry was recently joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson during his campaign, and the duo reportedly talked about how the United States was being taken over by “devils, communists, and barbarians.” The message did not sit well with liberal-leaning Pennsylvania residents on social media, however, who accused the Republican Party of fearmongering.
According to WITF, the political rally took place in Linglestown, Dauphin County, and was also attended by local religious leaders, such as Pastor Bill Schutt of Bible Baptist Church, who said that Americans were in a state of “spiritual warfare.”
During the event, Johnson reportedly compared the Democratic Party to Soviet Russia, claiming that the “barbarians” were already inside the gate. He compared being a Republican in 2026 to having to “defend the American way to hold the republic.” Perry reportedly called his adversaries evil, saying, “The other side is after us. The devil is everywhere.”
U.S. Rep. Perry and House Speaker Johnson Slammed in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents who commented on the news in r/Pennsylvania were furious to see the politicians using religion and what they viewed as fearmongering to win votes from conservatives. One person wrote: “It really is disgusting how MAGA uses religion as a cover for their despicable policies.”
Someone else asked: “Do Republicans just live in a constant state of fear? All the messaging I have seen has been fear of immigrants, fear of socialism, fear of communism, fear of trans people, and fear of the devil and “barbarians” now… What is their actual policy? Is it all just fear driven? Where is the substance?”
Some users even cracked jokes at the GOP’s expense: “The devil, a communist, and a barbarian walked into a bar. What does this have to do with policy/daily life?” Another responded: “They have nothing. Thanks to trumpflation costs are high.”
This kind of rhetoric can be divisive, and among liberal-leaning voters in Pennsylvania, at least, the message was not well received. One seemingly angry person summed up their reaction by saying: “They just fail to see that THEY are the evil ones.”
