GOP senator Ron Johnson says he may have felt unsafe if BLM, Antifa had stormed Capitol

[milestogo]

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said in an interview this week he did not feel unsafe during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot but might have if Black Lives Matter protesters and far-left "antifa" activists had demonstrated there, setting off a new wave of criticism.

“I’ve also been criticized because I made the comment on Jan. 6 – I never felt threatened, because I didn’t," Johnson said Thursday on "The Joe Pags Show," referencing the insurrection that unsuccessfully sought to halt the certification of the Electoral College results.

"Even though those thousands of people were marching on the Capitol were trying to pressure people like me to vote the way they wanted me to vote, I knew those were people that love this country, that truly respect law enforcement, would never do anything to break the law, so I wasn’t concerned,” he continued.

“So had the tables been turned, Joe, this could mean trouble. Had the tables been turned and President Trump won the election and those were tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters, I might have been a little concerned.”

Johnson’s remarks flew in the face of video showing pro-Trump rioters attacking police officers who were guarding the Capitol complex before the mob overran law enforcement and ransacked the building.

At least five people died from the riot, including a police officer. Two other officers who responded to the mob died by suicide in the following days, and about 140 officers were injured.

The statement echoed other comments Republicans had made trying to equate the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6 with Black Lives Matter protests that occurred over the summer. While many of the demonstrations against the police killings of Black Americans remained peaceful, some devolved into looting and violence.

Johnson’s latest remarks set off a wave of recriminations, with critics calling his equivalence between the different groups racist.

more at: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/543050-gop-senator-says-he-didnt-feel-unsafe-during-riot-but-would-have-if-blm

Racist and just plain stupid.

[ewagner]

1. Not a "dog whistle"..

a f-ing bullhorn

[magicarpet]

2. Thems Blacks and liberals are way more scary than armed fascists.

This goon has no idea how much of a racist Nazi he really is.

[OrlandoDem2]

3. Racist. Offensive. It's what POC have been saying. If the Jan 6 attack

had involved POC, the authorities would rain down terror.

If white people like me do it, there’s nothing wrong.

This guy needs to resign. Disgraceful!

[TheRealistRealist]

4. Be prepared for more of this rhetoric in the coming months

Since he's most likely not running for re-election, there will be no need to hide his racist views. I expect other GOP members to follow suit. Get ready for the "Black is dangerous and deadly, but White is pure and peaceful" narrative. On repeat.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. 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.

[Baked Potato]

6. I wonder if he had a placard ready to hang around his neck reading:

Don’t kill me! I’m Republican!