He’s running scared:
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson attempted to avoid answering reporters’ questions as he left the Capitol by pretending to be on his phone, but he was called out by one of the journalists who spotted his screen.
Mr Johnson was walking out of the congressional building on Tuesday after the hearing of the January 6 House Select Committee. The hearing presented texts between one of the senator’s staffers and an aide to then-Vice President Mike Pence.
The conversation took place not long after the congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s victory was halted by the violent mob of Trump supporters laying siege to the Capitol.
Mr Johnson’s Chief of Staff Sean Riley wrote to Pence aide Chris Hodgson to say that the senator had an “alternate slate of electors” supporting then-President Donald Trump for Mr Pence to look over before the certification that he would be presiding over that day.
“Johnson needs to hand something to VPOTUS please advise,” Mr Riley wrote to Mr Hodgson.
“What is it?” the Pence aide asked.
“Alternate slate of electors for [Michigan] and [Wisconsin] because archivist didn’t receive them,” Mr Riley responded.
“Do not give that to him,” Mr Hodgson said, guidance that was apparently adhered to, but which nevertheless Mr Johnson was asked about on Tuesday following the January 6 Committee hearing.
Here’s some more context:
In the exchange with reporters, including Frank Thorp of NBC News, Johnson claimed he was busy with a call so he couldn't take questions about his knowledge of the events.
"How much did you know about what your chief of staff was doing with the alternate slates of the electors?" Thorp asked.
"I'm on the phone right now," Johnson replied.
"No you're not. I can see your phone. I can see your screen," Thorp said.
Johnson then put his phone down and addressed their questions, dismissing the evidence as a "non-story."
Johnson claimed he wasn't aware of the messages sent by his aide, calling it a "staff-to-staff exchange."
"I was basically, you know, unaware of it," he said.
Primary Day in Wisconsin is August 9th. Click here to register to vote or check your registration.
Health and Democracy are on the ballot next year and we need to keep Wisconsin Blue. Click below to donate and get involved with the Wisconsin Democrat of your choice and these Wisconsin Democrats campaigns:
Wisconsin Democratic Party
Minocqua Brewing Company SuperPAC
Tony Evers for Governor
Mandela Barnes for U.S. Senate
Sarah Godlewski for U.S. Senate
Tom Nelson for U.S. Senate
Alex Lasry for U.S. Senate
Josh Kaul for Attorney General