House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, expressed strong disapproval on Thursday regarding a controversial group chat involving Young Republican officials. This chat reportedly featured racist, antisemitic, and homophobic remarks, as well as an image of an American flag with a swastika displayed behind an aide in a Republican congressman’s office.

When questioned about concerns over extremist or pro-Hitler attitudes among the party’s younger members, Johnson responded with a firm, “No.”

“We unequivocally denounce any of that nonsense,” Johnson stated, making his stance clear.

His remarks follow a revealing Politico report that uncovered the group chat, which includes members of the Young Republicans organization, intended for individuals up to the age of 40. The chat reportedly contained pro-Hitler and racist sentiments and involved GOP operatives as well as a state senator from Vermont.

“Those views do not reflect the principles of the Republican Party. We are committed to the foundational ideals of America,” Johnson emphasized. “Do you want me to outline them for you? Individual freedom, limited government, the rule of law, peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets, and human dignity—these are the elements that promote human flourishing.”

Johnson continued, “We have always stood against such ideologies. We fought against the Nazis and opposed that malevolent ideology. We categorically condemn it, and we will challenge anyone in any party who supports it.”

Some Democratic and left-wing commenters highlighted Johnson’s apparent misspeak about defending the ideology.

Johnson also addressed a photo of him next to at least one of the members in a group chat that circulated on social media.

“Obviously, I think it was at the inauguration, and people were just coming up and asking for selfies, a thousand of them, I don’t know. I never heard of that person in my life,” Johnson said.

“But whoever these young people are, and whatever they’re saying, if it’s true, we obviously condemn that, and the organizations involved are dealing with that. That’s my understanding,” Johnson said.

The Young Republican National Federation on Tuesday called for immediate resignations of those involved in the leaked group chat.

Then on Wednesday, news broke of an aide for Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) being pictured in a videoconference call with an American flag with red stripes altered to form a swastika posted in a cubicle in the background. Taylor called the image “vile and deeply inappropriate” and said Capitol Police are investigating the matter.

“There’s a proper investigation ongoing, and the congressman did exactly what he should have done,” Johnson said of the incident. “I can’t comment on it any further until that’s done.”

Jonson took a notably different tone in addressing the chat than Vice President Vance, who dismissed “pearl clutching” over the leaked messages.

“The reality is that kids do stupid things. Especially young boys, they tell edgy, offensive jokes. Like, that’s what kids do,” Vance said in an interview on “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Wednesday. “And I really don’t want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke telling a very offensive, stupid joke is cause to ruin their lives.”