As many Republicans try to rewrite history of Jan. 6 attack, Sen. Ron Johnson suggests FBI knew more

[riversedge]

Source: Washington Post




As many Republicans try to rewrite history of Jan. 6 attack, Sen. Ron Johnson suggests FBI knew more than it has said

By Mike DeBonis Yesterday at 4:08 p.m. EDT



A Republican senator suggested in a private conversation Saturday, without evidence, that the FBI knew more about the planning before the Jan. 6 Capitol riot than it has revealed so far, according to a video obtained by The Washington Post.

The comments from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), made after a political event at a Wauwatosa, Wis., hotel, reflect the spread of an unfounded claim that has traveled from far-right commentators to Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show to the highest levels of the GOP.

“I don’t say this publicly, but are you watching what’s happening in Michigan?” Johnson said while discussing the Capitol attack with some of the event’s attendees. “. . . 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’s Michigan comment appears to be a reference to the alleged kidnapping plot targeting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) that was disclosed by state and federal authorities in October. 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. Without that involvement, those defendants have argued, they would have had no intention of harming Whitmer....................

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ron-johnson-fbi/2021/08/02/5791b4aa-f25f-11eb-81d2-ffae0f931b8f_story.html

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Sen. Johnson discusses FBI and Jan. 6 attack
Video taken after a political event at a hotel in Wauwatosa, Wis., on July 31 shows Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) talking about the attack on the U.S. Capitol. (Courtesy of Bridget Kurt)

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

1. The new GQP motto should be, "Claimed Without Evidence." nt

[aeromanKC]

2. That would be in keeping with Trump's mode of operandi

Just say it, and leave the rest to me.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. If they did know, how would they have stopped it? Did Director Wray have a plan? /nt

[quakerboy]

5. Would they have been allowed to do anything about it?

I have no problem believing that various law enforcement groups had knowledge. I mean, it seems they had people there participating.

Whether any of them would have been willing to do anything about it, or at the federal level allowed to do anything about it, thats a whole nother ball of wax.

So.. I say we take ol johnson at his word, put him under oath as to his sources, and track down why exactly law enforcement didnt do anything about the terrorist attack and on the capital.

[ancianita]

10. +1

[zuul]

14. +2

[multigraincracker]

4. NO problem adding that to

the House investigation.

[kwijybo]

6. Doesn't that make it worse?

If the FBI, controlled by Trump appointees at the top, knew more about what was going to happen on 6Jan and still did nothing to protect the Capitol, doesn't that point to an even larger conspiracy to overthrow the government?

(my reasoning: If agents knew and didn't pass it up to the level where it gets shared so something can be done, then all of those agents were involved in the conspiracy.
If agents knew and passed it up to the level where it gets shared so something can be done, then the people at that level (Trump appointees, I believe) were involved in the conspiracy since they didn't pass it on.)

[ancianita]

12. In Florida

Under Florida law, entrapment occurs when a law enforcement officer improperly coerces, persuades, or induces a person to commit a crime that she or he was not predisposed to do. In Florida, entrapment is illegal and if there is evidence of this act, the defendant might be absolved of all charges.

But that's a state law, and it's likely that more than just a few of the 67 from FL committed federal offenses.

In R v Sang [1980] AC 402 it was held that entrapment is not a substantive defence which entitles the Defendant to be acquitted. This makes sense – a criminal offence does not cease to be a criminal offence just because the Defendant has been incited to commit it.

If anyone incited crime it was the president and his Ellipse henchmen.

Entrapment only applies to overbearing official conduct, seen in the form of pressure, harassment, fraud, flattery, or threats.

[zuul]

15. Sure sounds like it.

[turbinetree]

7. Just bring him in for questioning ...how he won against Russ Feingold is still amazing...

oh yeah he had lots and lots help from enablers Koch Brothers of trying to destroy a duly elected democracy and those fine people that believe authoritarian oligarchy rule....is the best....

[oasis]

20. How DID Russ Feingold lose to this dolt? 'tis a puzzlement.

[SidneyR]

8. I don't believe in "entrapment."

Anyone who was completely innocent would be unpersuaded by enticements. There's no chance of being "entrapped" is you don't have the impulse to do the deed to begin with.

[usaf-vet]

9. Rojo aka Ron Johnson would in all likelihood would be street sweeper if not married into millions.

He is a lying POS. It's that simple.

[milestogo]

13. And he would do a shitty job as a streetsweeper.

[Turbineguy]

16. Ron thinks

with his johnson.

[patphil]

17. The real question is how much more did Ron Johnson know.

[Wild blueberry]

18. Sounds like he's admitting he is a material witness for Jan. 6 insurrection

and would obey a subpoena from the Select Committee to reveal what he knows under oath.
They can also ask him what he was doing in Moscow July 4, 2018.

[Darkstar53142]

19. Johnson has brought shame to my state.

I almost want to wear a bag over my head rather than admit I'm from the same state as this lying grifter.