Critics call Sen. Ron Johnson's insurrection comments racist

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson is being called racist for an interview in which the white Republican said he wasn’t worried about the predominantly white supporters of President Donald Trump during the deadly insurrection at the Capitol, but that he might have been if they had been Black Lives Matter protesters.

In an interview Thursday with syndicated radio host Joe Pagliarulo, Johnson said of those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 to try to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory: “I knew those were people who love this country, that truly respect law enforcement, would never do anything to break the law, so I wasn’t concerned.”

“Now, had the tables been turned, and Joe — this is going to get me in trouble — had the tables been turned 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 far-left-leaning protesters known as anti-fascists who resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events.

Five people died during the assault on the Capitol, including a police officer, and 140 officers were injured. The insurrection also caused widespread damage and led to National Guard troops being called in to restore order. More than 300 Trump supporters have been charged in the storming of the building, including members of far-right extremist groups.



FILE - In this March 3, 2021 file photo, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., speaks during a Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Senate Committee on Rules and Administration joint hearing examining the January 6, attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Critics of Johnson are calling him racist after he told an interviewer on Thursday, March 11, that he wasn’t worried about the supporters of former President Donald Trump who stormed the U.S. Capitol in January, but might have been concerned if they had been Black Lives Matter protesters. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-capitol-siege-race-and-ethnicity-wisconsin-2c0bc1149d9b6e057c31d56e92d0267b

[ck4829]

1. Because those comments are horribly racist

[soothsayer]

6. +1000

[hlthe2b]

2. Must be "Super Obvious Day" at the AP

[MyOwnPeace]

3. W-T-F!?!?!?!

These were people who "would never do anything to break the law."

So what do we now have? 7 people died related to that day and the Justice Department looking at charging over 300 people with BREAKING THE LAW!!!!!!

This clown needs to take his head out of his or Donald's A$$ and look at what's happening in our country!

[catbyte]

4. WTF is with the title "critics" call his comments racist. They ARE racist.

It's not a matter of opinion, ffs.

[Vogon_Glory]

5. I'm one to wonder what might have happened

if Ro Jo had been caught out in the open by the insurrectionists and identified as a sitting US senator. Color me cynical, but I would not have been surprised if Ro Jo’s “creds” as a Republican and as a Trumpie reactionary would have spared him from being beaten or lynched if they’d caught him.

[twodogsbarking]

7. Stop flattering him

He likes it.

[movingviolation]

8. These people belong nowhere near the levers of power.

Incompetence, bigotry, general un-awareness of a changing world requiring novel solutions to problems. An un-ending parade of ignorance. It boggles my mind that people are tricked into voting for the bullshit, and how it resonates with them.

[dalton99a]

9. They would never do anything to break the law - Hundreds were arrested for no reason!!!

[Bleacher Creature]

10. Is there really an argument that they're not??

[yaesu]

11. that's because they are racist, he's racist & the scum who voted for him are racist. nt

[bucolic_frolic]

12. RonAnon is trying to convince America that Trump is still president with these psyops

That's why he keeps repeating the agenda of 2020.

[Solly Mack]

13. Critics? Snort.

Oh, no! Critics claim water is wet!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

14. Rachel Maddow called out the racism behind Sen. Ron Johnson's claims

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

The MSNBC host responded, “I might have been a little concerned. If they had been black, that would have been one thing, but these were white men who were convicted felons and members of large white supremacist prison gangs assaulting the officers and trying to kill the vice president. But look how white, how can I feel scared? Have you seen how white these men were? If they had been black — god bless you, senator Ron Johnson.”

More people in the media need to say exactly what Maddow said. Republicans need to be called for their racist defense of the Trump terrorists. Anytime a Republican mentions Black Lives Matter when asked about the Capitol attack, they need to be asked why they are bringing race into the conversation and how many Black Lives Matter protesters have attempted to overthrow the government?

Maddow nailed it. Republicans are defending domestic terrorism and sedition with racism, and they need to be called out on it.

[GB_RN]

15. RonAnon

Has never given me the impression that he’s very bright, but now he’s shown me that he’s truly, truly stupid.

[jalan48]

16. It doesn't do any good to try and shame these people. They don't care.

[JudyM]

19. Right. He passed the abominable threshold by a mile and doesn't seem to care.

[monkeyman1]

17. we know now !!

racism by affiliation ! now we know & have known about the Republican party .democratic party should now go after ROJO & get rid of this pos ! WI. could do better than this hunk of garbage .

[sinkingfeeling]

18. Psst, Ronnie. They DID break the law.

[monkeyman1]

20. cool ' good one !!!!!!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

21. If Johnson is so fucking brave why did he turn around and run when the capitol was breached?

[monkeyman1]

26. because of that streak down back .

[RussBLib]

22. you know what to do, Wisconsin

I should talk. We stuck the country with Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.

[Tommymac]

23. What a 'cheese for brain' head.

Seriously Wisconsin, is it something in the water?

Do I need to stop buying Wisconsin cheese????

[yuiyoshida]

24. The Republican party ...

Lincoln would be holding his head in shame over what his REPUBLICAN party has become... the party of Asshole Racists.

[monkeyman1]

25. should be grand ol' politically dead party.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

28. GQP: Greedy Qooqy Party . . . nt

[tavernier]

27. Who does he remind me of?