Mike Johnson leads 60th annual Capitol Hill Christmas tree lighting ceremony

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday night oversaw the annual lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree, also referred to as the "People's tree," which traveled to Washington from Alaska.

The tree, an 80-foot Alaskan Sitka spruce, was transported more than 700 miles by sea and more than 4,000 miles by truck over 40 days from the Wrangell area of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, according to United Press International (UPI).

Johnson was accompanied by members of the Alaska delegation, and fourth grader Rose Burke from Kenai, Alaska, who won an essay contest about the tree. Burke flipped the switch that turned the tree on.

"When they see this majestic Christmas tree, they will be reminded of our farthest most state," Burke said. "This tree represents all of Alaska."

The tree, which the public named "Spruce Wayne," has been decorated with 5,000 LED lights and 10,000 hand-made ornaments from students and community organizations in Alaska. The Christmas Tree lighting has been an annual tradition at the Capitol since 1964.

"The lights on this tree symbolize the light this season brings," Johnson said, and honored "[those] who are not with us: the service members who are stationed overseas defending our freedom and the Americans held hostage by dark regimes."

Johnson wrote on X after the ceremony that the annual tradition means that "it’s officially Christmas time at the Capitol."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.