The corporate media is already attacking new Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), currently arguing that his work as a constitutional lawyer in helping secure tax credits for a Noah’s Ark theme park is “…a graphic illustration of his uncompromising rightwing Christian beliefs.”

‘Ark Encounter‘, a park operated by the Christian ministry Answers in Genesis, is described as “a one-of-a-kind, historically themed attraction in Williamstown, Kentucky. In an entertaining, educational, and immersive way, it presents a number of historical events centered on a full-size Ark, which is the largest timber-frame structure in the world.”

Johnson previously worked for Freedom Guard – a religious liberty-focused legal group – which was representing Answers in Genesis in a lawsuit against the State of Kentucky after the ministry’s Ark Encounter park had its tourism tax credits revoked. Governor Steve Beshear, a Democrat, accused the ministry of restricting its hiring to only Christians which he said violated an agreement they had made with the state. “It has become clear that they do intend to use religious beliefs as a litmus test for hiring decisions,” Beshear said at the time.

As one of Freedom Guard’s staff attorneys, Johnson said that the State of Kentucky “…decided to exclude this organization from a tax rebate program that’s offered to all applications across the state.” Johnson argued, “One would expect that any project that will bring millions of dollars in new capital investment, create hundreds of jobs and be a tremendous asset to the communities of northern Kentucky would be enthusiastically welcomed by every Kentuckian.”

Answers in Genesis ministries ultimately prevailed against Gov. Beshear and the State of Kentucky, with the help of Mike Johnson and Freedom Guard.