Sen. Ron Johnson sparked the ire of the internet after suggesting this week that the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was not an insurrection but a largely “peaceful protest.”
“Even calling it an insurrection, it wasn’t,” the Wisconsin Republican said during an appearance on Fox News’s “Ingraham Angle.” “You know, I condemned the breach. I condemned the violence, but to say there were thousands of armed insurrectionists breaching the Capitol intent on overthrowing the government is just simply false narrative.”
Johnson went on to say that he has spoken to some of his constituents in Wisconsin that were present at a “Stop the Steal” rally on the National Mall and at the U.S. Capitol that day.
“By and large, it was peaceful protest, except for there were a number of people, basically agitators that whipped the crowd and breached the Capitol. That’s really the truth of what’s happening here,” Johnson said.
His comments we met with a fierce backlash:
Ron Johnson once again calls the Jan 6 insurrection (which he says wasn't an insurrection!) a "peaceful protest." I mean, what planet is he on! He's a disgrace to Wisconsin, and he's a threat to our democracy. pic.twitter.com/JVqZHLRXXn
— Sarah Godlewski (@SarahforWI) May 21, 2021
Russian asset Ron Johnson says the deadly insurrection he incited was a peaceful protest and nothing more.
This detestable traitor is one of 8 GQPers who flew to Moscow in 2018 during July 4h weekend to try meeting w/ Putin, so of course he’d support an attack on the US Capitol.
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) May 21, 2021
January 6th was a violent insurrection — not a “peaceful protest.”
Who are you going to believe:
Your own eyes or Republican Senator Ron Johnson? pic.twitter.com/bKuLUlv0Le
— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) May 20, 2021
Of January 6th, GOP Senator Ron Johnson said: “by and large it was peaceful protests”
Some Republicans liken the mob to “normal tourists”
The Capitol was breached, and Capitol police officers were injured and killed!
This Senate will vote on the January 6th Commission. https://t.co/CwIwlNou7D
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 20, 2021
Rep. Eric Swalwell
By and large it was a peaceful air show over Pearl Harbor.Sen. Ron Johnson "By and large it was a peaceful protest."
— Michael Grossman (@MichaelArt123) May 21, 2021
Ron Johnson calls this “a peaceful protest.” If that’s the case, why not welcome a full investigation into the circumstances of their Capitol visit? #Jan6thCommissionNow pic.twitter.com/jzr4fRkQu1
— The Daily Edge (@TheDailyEdge) May 20, 2021
Ron Johnson: "It was a peaceful protest." pic.twitter.com/gkYkLzY1vT
— Middle Age Riot (@middleageriot) May 20, 2021
So this is a peaceful protest Ron Johnson? pic.twitter.com/yCE9vRHtzd
— Dad Of 4A's (@4a_of) May 20, 2021
Peaceful, huh Ron? So peaceful you all had to take cover under desks behind barricaded doors. pic.twitter.com/KBYk6K9icJ
— Tooey (@SueRic2) May 21, 2021
It creeped me out when Ron Johnson called the insurrection a peaceful protest.
— 𝕊𝕠𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝔻𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝕀𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕒 (@illonazat) May 20, 2021
Ron Johnson says there was no insurrection and it was really just a peaceful protest. Sure, Ronny. I mean just look at all the peace and tranquillity in this photo. pic.twitter.com/qgHVeerRH5
— 💀 Scary Larry 💀 🇺🇸🌊✊🏻🗽 (@StompTheGOP) May 20, 2021
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) on Fox last night: "By and large it was a peaceful protest."
Watch all the peace in this video. https://t.co/5YD65U5gVu
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) May 20, 2021
Just read that Ron Johnson, that piece of dirt, just called the insurrection a ‘peaceful protest’.
At this point, it just seems like these fuckers are trying to outdo each other.
Just look at all the peace: pic.twitter.com/B4o07E0Tsb— Insurrection Deniers of 2021 🇨🇦🌊😷 (@resist2021) May 21, 2021
