Ron Johnson faces criticism for “racist” comments about the Capitol riot

Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold Johnson GOP goes on the attack on Biden The GOP senator says he may have felt insecure if the BLM and antifa had invaded Capitol Ashcroft refused to race to replace Blunt in Missouri MORE (R-Wis.) He is facing criticism for comments about the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, which at least one lawmaker in his home state called “racist”.

Johnson said during an interview last week with radio announcer Joe Pagliarulo that he was not afraid for his safety during the siege, but would have if the protesters were affiliated with “Black Lives Matter and antifa”.

“Now, if the table had changed, and Joe – this is going to get me in trouble – the table would have changed and President TrumpDonald TrumpPompeo: Re-entering the deal with Iran would make the Middle East ‘less secure’. DNC prepares to push in mid-term Biden struggles to unravel Trump’s web of immigration rules MORE I won the election and tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa, I must have been a little worried, ”said the senator.

The comments drew criticism from Democrats and others in the press and social media, who argued that Johnson basically admitted that those who invaded the Capitol, killing a police officer and causing serious injuries to dozens of others, were his own supporters, while protesters who speak openly against police brutality and racism, no.

“For him to say something as racist as that – it is ridiculous,” state senator LaTonya Johnson (D), who is black, told the Associated Press. “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’s racist comments make it clear that he is on the side of violent criminals who threaten our democracy,” tweeted Sarah Godlewski (D), state treasurer.

“Ron Johnson said the racist part out loud,” added the anti-Trump organization Lincoln Project in a tweet.

The Hill contacted Johnson’s office for comment.

At least five people died as a result of the attack on the United States Capitol, including a Capitol police officer. Police officers reported in the days after the siege that dozens of police officers sustained serious injuries resulting from the attack, including one who lost an eye. Two other police officers died of suicide days after the attack. Dozens of metropolitan police officers from Washington, DC were also injured.

“I have officers who did not receive helmets before the attack and suffered head injuries,” Capitol Police union president Gus Papathanasiou told The Washington Post in January. “One policeman has two broken ribs and two broken spinal disks and another was stabbed with a metal fence post, to name some of the injuries.”

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