Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) believes the FBI had more knowledge about the planning for the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol than it has said, according to a report.
According to a video obtained by The Washington Post, Johnson made the comment, without evidence, after a political event in Wisconsin on Saturday.
“I don’t say this publicly, but are you watching what’s happening in Michigan? So you think the FBI had fully infiltrated the militias in Michigan, but they don’t know squat about what was happening on January 6th or what was happening with these groups? I’d say there is way more to the story,” Johnson said.
As the Post notes, Johnson seemingly referred to the alleged kidnapping plot targeting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).
“Some defendants have recently argued in court that they were entrapped by FBI operatives who stoked their anger against Whitmer, facilitated meetings and paid for hotels and other costs related to the scheme,” the report reads.
Johnson also said, according to the recording, “By and large those folks were peaceful protesters,” and the media and Democrats are “painting 75 million Americans who voted for Trump as attached with domestic terrorists.”
He added, “I’m just pushing back on that narrative.” The senator suggested he was “not happy with those guys that stood on the Capitol and created the acts of violence. . . . I’ve said that repeatedly and strongly.”
Additionally, Johnson argued Republican and Democratic leaders shared blame for the riot, mentioning the lax security around the perimeter of the Capitol while calling the House committee a “total sham,” as the Post reports.
“Are they going to talk about the culpability of congressional leadership, both sides?” he said. “No. . . . They won’t even bring it up.”
Johnson spokeswoman Alexa Henning released a statement to the Post, saying, “The revelation of the depth of the FBI’s involvement in the Governor Whitmer plot raises questions as to whether it had infiltrated Jan. 6 agitator groups as well.”
She continued, “The senator continues to call on the FBI and DOJ to be transparent. To date, they have not been.”