Sen. Ron Johnson Continues Impeachment Bumbling
‘What Sen. Johnson is Proposing Isn’t Just Nonsensical, It’s Unethical’
Ron Johnson
MADISON, Wis. — After briefly dodging reporters’ questions, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson has put himself back in the middle of Donald Trump’s ethical morass. Johnson told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he would be willing to testify about what he knows about Trump’s quid pro quo with Ukraine for dirt on political opponents and that he also would not recuse himself from any vote on impeachment if a trial were held in the U.S. Senate.
“Ron Johnson talked himself into the ridiculous position of offering himself up as a witness who wants to exonerate Donald Trump and a juror, who also wants to exonerate Donald Trump,” said Eicher. “What Sen. Johnson is proposing isn’t just nonsensical, it’s unethical.”
Sen. Johnson found himself in the Trump impeachment spotlight after a disastrous performance on a national public affairs program where he was asked to respond to reports he seemed to be uncomfortable with Donald Trump’s apparent linkage of U.S. aid to Ukraine with efforts to dig up dirt on his political opponents. Johnson spiralled off into conspiracy theories to avoid answering simple, direct questions and offered laughable proof Donald Trump had done nothing improper – he told him he didn’t do it.
According to the latest reported comments from Johnson:
“Johnson hasn’t been asked to testify in the House’s impeachment inquiry but has said he would cooperate if asked.
‘I wouldn’t resist,’ he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel of how he would react to a request to testify. ‘I’m always happy to tell the truth.’
Two ethics experts told the Journal Sentinel this month that Johnson should consider recusing himself from a vote on removing Trump if the matter gets to the Senate because of Johnson’s involvement in the matter.
Johnson said he would not do that because the people who elected him deserve to have representation if the issue comes to the Senate.”
Eicher noted Johnson, who before joining the U.S. Senate ran the plastics factory given to him by his in-laws, has a history of sharing his ill-informed opinions with the public. Selected Johnson gaffes are listed on One Wisconsin Now’s The wRONg Johnson Archive.
One Wisconsin Now is a statewide communications network specializing in effective earned media and online organizing to advance progressive leadership and values.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Impeachment of President Trump
- Op Ed: The Courage of Mitt Romney - Bill Kaplan - Feb 10th, 2020
- In Trump Acquittal, Wisconsin Legislators Divided - Robin Bravender and Ruth Conniff - Feb 6th, 2020
- Pocan: ‘A Cover-Up That Will Haunt our Democracy’ - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan - Feb 5th, 2020
- Johnson Statement On Acquittal Votes - U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson - Feb 5th, 2020
- Johnson Votes to Conclude Impeachment Proceedings - U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson - Feb 3rd, 2020
- Call Bolton to Testify, Baldwin Urges - Erik Gunn - Jan 29th, 2020
- “Gut Check Time” For Senators, Baldwin Says - Shawn Johnson - Jan 28th, 2020
- Data Wonk: Measuring Republican Views on Impeachment - Bruce Thompson - Jan 2nd, 2020
- Data Wonk: Rep. Sensenbrenner’s Disappointing Column - Bruce Thompson - Dec 26th, 2019
- Pocan: ‘A Vote That Sets the Precedent for All Future Presidents’ - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan - Dec 18th, 2019
Read more about Impeachment of President Trump here
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Senators took an Oath of Office to defend the Constitution not an oath to protect a demagogue.
If Senator Johnson does not recuse himself in a potential senate trial re Trump’s removal from office, he runs the risk of being charged as complicit in Trump’s alleged crimes re the blackmailing of a friendly nation (Ukraine) to favor an adversary (Russia) in the interest of allowing the adversary to interfere with our country’s elections. RJ must know that he has stepped into some steamy do do. If he does not recuse himself in a senate trial to remove THE DONALD, he could be hard pressed to find a friend to help him clean his shoes.
I cannot wait to see the look on Ron’s face if/when he is charged as complicit in Trump’s crimes. Unbelievable–this guy has got to go.