After testimony that agents feared for their lives, Ron Johnson says Jan. 6 committee is 'not getting to the truth'

WAUKESHA – Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said Friday that the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection is engaging "in a highly-partisan exercise," and added, "it's really not getting to the truth of the matter."

Johnson's comments came as the committee's first set of eight public hearings ended Thursday night with testimony and video depicting former President Donald Trump's inaction as his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop the certification of the Electoral College results. The hearing included testimony that agents charged with protecting Vice President Mike Pence feared for their lives and made goodbye calls to family members.

"They're not asking from my standpoint the most important question: Why was the breach allowed to occur?" Johnson said.

"Why were all the warnings, why did they all go unheeded? Where was the security? What did Nancy Pelosi know? What did Chuck Schumer know? Why didn't they provide proper security when they knew there were going to be thousands, tens of thousands of people protesting and coming to the Capitol?"

Johnson, who last year characterized the crowd as "people who love this country, that truly respect law enforcement, would never do anything to break the law," is running for a third term in November.

More: Ron Johnson claims surprise at backlash over comments on Capitol attack

He made his comments Friday to reporters at manufacturer Rolled Threads Unlimited as he received an endorsement from the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

In his speech, Johnson defended a provision in the 2017 tax bill that he championed — a tax break for small businesses and other so-called pass-through entities.

Johnson has said the pass-through entities supported 90% of small businesses. Critics have said it delivered breaks to the wealthy, including those who financed his campaigns.

Jim Ladky, owner of Rolled Threads Unlimited, said "rather than our profits going to Washington D.C., and getting mired in the swamp," the tax break Johnson pushed enabled his firm to invest $1.5 million in new equipment and processes, as well as add workers.

Later, Johnson was asked to elaborate on his stance on the Respect for Marriage Act to codify same-sex marriage. He said it's a political wedge issue being used by Democrats but "right now I don't see any reason why I would oppose it."

"Unlike Roe v. Wade, this is pretty much settled law," Johnson said of the 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage. "People relied on that and if you overturn it ... you'd really disrupt people's lives."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ron Johnson says Jan. 6 committee is a 'highly-partisan exercise'