CNN tries to get Boris Johnson to bash the US — but he refuses to take the bait: 'A shining city on a hill'



British Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to bash the United States on Sunday when asked if he is "worried" about a decline of democracy in America.

What happened?

Speaking with CNN anchor Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," Tapper claimed his international friends are voicing concern that American democracy is eroding. Johnson promptly dismissed such concerns.

"When I talk to friends in Canada, the U.K., Australia, and elsewhere, people express concern about the United States— in terms of our ability and our institutions to thrive and continue after what happened with the election of 2020," Tapper began. "They’re worried that democracy is on life support in the United States."

"Are you worried at all?" Tapper asked.

"No!" Johnson immediately responded.

"You're not?" Tapper followed up.

"I want to say this to the people of the United States: I'm not," Johnson confirmed.

"I guess get back to what I have been trying to say to you throughout this interview, I think that reports of the death of democracy in the United States are grossly, grossly exaggerated. America is a shining city on a hill," Johnson explained. "And it will continue to be so."

\u201c"I think that reports of the death of democracy in the United States are grossly, grossly exaggerated." \n\nBritish Prime Minister @BorisJohnson tells CNN's @jaketapper why he is not concerned about the state of US democracy. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU\u201d
— CNN (@CNN) 1656253671

When Tapper pressed Johnson further about the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Johnson admitted it was "pretty weird" but refused to criticize America.

"Looking from the outside, it was pretty weird," Johnson said. "But I don't believe that American democracy is under serious threat, far from it. I continue to believe that America is the greatest global guarantor of democracy and freedom."

Anything else?

Earlier in the interview, however, Johnson reaffirmed his declaration that America took a "big step backwards" when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Johnson described the high court ruling as "important psychologically for people around the world," but he denied that it diminishes the U.S. as the global symbol of freedom.

"The United States for me, it remains a shining city on the hill," Johnson said. "And it's an incredible guarantor of values, democracy, freedom around the world."

Boris Johnson admits he attended infamous Downing Street 'drinks party' but claims he thought it was a 'work event.' No one is buying the explanation.



British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing renewed calls for his resignation for attending a government staff "drinks party" last year while the rest of the country remained in a strict government-imposed COVID-19 lockdown.

What are the details?

Several senior members of the U.K. Parliament angrily demanded that Johnson step down Wednesday after he finally admitted to attending a garden drinks gathering at No. 10 Downing Street last May, BBC News reported.

Johnson had previously been coy about his involvement in the party while an investigation into it — and several other alleged government parties — took place. But on Wednesday, the prime minister admitted his attendance and offered his "heartfelt apologies" to the nation in a speech before a packed House of Commons.

Johnson said he was well aware of the "rage" that many U.K. residents feel toward him and the government he leads when they see that "in Downing Street itself, the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules."

Though at the same time, he defended himself for attending the "bring your own booze" shindig by saying he only stayed for 25 minutes in order to “thank groups of staff” for their hard work, and he added that he “believed implicitly that this was a work event.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologies for attending lockdown party - BBC News www.youtube.com

In May 2020, the U.K. government, at Johnson's direction, restricted people from leaving their houses without a reasonable excuse and only allowed people to meet with one person outside their households in an outdoor setting while exercising.

What was the reaction?

As Johnson attempted to ease concerns over the party in his House of Commons speech, jeers and boos could be heard in the chamber from members of Parliament.

The response afterward was much sharper. Addressing Parliament, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer called Johnson’s excuse “so ridiculous that it’s actually offensive to the British public” and demanded that Johnson “do the decent thing and resign.”

In a tweet Wednesday, Starmer said, "The party is over Boris Johnson. Resign."

The party is over @BorisJohnson.\n\nResign.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir Starmer) 1641989225

Four lawmakers from Johnson's own party publicly demanded he quit, the Wall Street Journal reported.

William Wragg characterized the prime minister's position as "untenable," adding, "I don't think it should be left to the findings of a civil servant to determine the future of the prime minister and indeed who governs this country."

A fellow Conservative MP, Caroline Nokes, reportedly said Johnson should resign now, as he was "damaging the entire Conservative brand."

CNBC reported that Johnson's leadership was on a "knife's edge."

What else?

The May rendezvous was not the only party that government officials are alleged to have held amid lockdown conditions for the rest of the country.

According to BBC News, in November 2020, at least one other party for Downing Street staff members took place in the residence where the prime minister lives.

Just a week prior, Johnson had told people in England that “we are once again asking you to stay at home” amid a new national lockdown. He ordered people only to leave their homes “for work if you can’t work from home, for education, and for essential activities and emergencies" and banned indoor gatherings with other households.

Results of an investigation into the parties are expected to be released next week.