Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich offered kudos to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his leadership as head of the Republican conference on Friday, admiring his patience while dealing with “idiots.”

Gingrich sparked laughter among the crowd while he spoke at the U.S. Capitol on the 30th anniversary of the “Contract with America,” a 10-point policy document he spearheaded in 1994 that is often credited with Republicans’ sweeping victories that year.