MILWAUKEE (AP) – Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is being called a racist for an interview in which the white Republican said he was not concerned about President Donald Trump’s predominantly white supporters during the deadly Capitol insurrection, but that he may have been if they were Black Lives Matter protesters.
In an interview Thursday with the syndicated radio host Joe Pagliarulo, Johnson said of those who invaded the Capitol on January 6 to try to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory: “I knew these were people who love this country, who truly respect law enforcement, they would never do anything to break the law, so I was not worried. “
“Now, if the table had changed, and Joe – this is going to get me in trouble – if the table had changed and President Trump won the election and tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa, I might have been a little concerned.” , Johnson said, referring to the far-left protesters known as anti-fascists who resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events.
Five people died during the assault on Capitol Hill, including a police officer, and 140 policemen were injured. The insurrection also caused widespread damage and caused National Guard troops to be called in to restore order. More than 300 Trump supporters were accused of assaulting the building, including members of extreme right-wing extremist groups.
Johnson’s comments sparked outrage among Wisconsin Democrats, including Senator LaTonya Johnson of Milwaukee.
“For him to say something as racist as that – it’s ridiculous,” said the state senator, who is black. “It is a totally racist comment and the insult to the injury is that he did not mind saying it in the position he occupies because, for some reason, this is considered acceptable behavior for people who live and are elected in this state.”
Ron Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he made the comment because many of the protests last summer against George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis became violent and caused widespread property damage. The unrest in the days after the death of the black man handcuffed on May 25 while in police custody caused major damage to cities across the country – about $ 500 million in Minneapolis-St. Paul area alone.
“That’s why I would have been more concerned,” Johnson said in a statement.
Democrats seeking a senatorial seat for two terms next year were quick to call him.
“Ron Johnson is a racist and is not fit to serve the people of Wisconsin. There is no missing context here. He knew what he was saying, he knew he shouldn’t say it, but that’s who he is, ”said Milwaukee Bucks executive Alex Lasry.
Tom Nelson, the Outagamie county executive who also seeks the Democratic nomination, said Johnson has reached “a despicable new level” with his comments.