Ron Johnson shares dubious article blaming ‘fake Trump protesters’ and ‘provocateurs’ for Capitol riot

Sen. Ron Johnson shared an article that criticized law enforcement’s response to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot and laid blame for the event on “fake Trump protesters” during a hearing Tuesday on the attack.

The Wisconsin Republican, who critics said was spreading a wild conspiracy theory about the siege, opened his time for questions by calling the violence “repugnant” and adding that he had a “long list of questions, which this format doesn’t lend itself to asking.”

The senator then shared several excerpts of an article written by J. Michael Waller, a senior analyst at the Center for Security Policy, a far-right organization that critics say espouses an anti-Muslim sentiment, and republished by the Federalist.

The article, titled “I Saw Provocateurs At The Capitol Riot On Jan. 6,” claims the riot had the “markings of an organized operation planned well in advance of the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress.”

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“A small number of cadre appeared to use the cover of a huge rally to stage its attack,” Waller wrote. He asserted that “plainclothes militants” and “fake Trump protesters” were responsible for the violence.

“All of these cells or groups stood out from the very large crowd by their behavior and overall demeanor. However, they did not all appear at the same time,” he added. “Not until the very end did it appear there was a prearranged plan to storm the Capitol building, and to manipulate the unsuspecting crowd as cover and as a follow-on force.”

Federal prosecutors have filed charges against more than 200 people accused of participating in the siege of Congress. Those who are allegedly affiliated with the right-wing Proud Boys as well as the Oath Keepers militia group have been charged with conspiracy to interrupt the certification of President Biden’s 2020 election win over former President Donald Trump.

The FBI described the Proud Boys as a “nationalist organization with multiple U.S. chapters and potential activity in other Western countries” and the Oath Keepers as “a large but loosely organized collection of militia who believe that the federal government has been co-opted by a shadowy conspiracy that is trying to strip American citizens of their rights.” Many others arrested do not appear to be affiliated with such groups.

One leftist activist, John Sullivan, was indicted in connection to the riot.

Waller also expressed suspicion of law enforcement’s activities during the siege of Congress.

“For such a massive event, police presence was light,” he said. “District of Columbia police and a small group of D.C. National Guard had a relaxed demeanor, keeping a professional distance from marchers and other pedestrians, as they usually do.”

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After presenting several portions of the article, Johnson asked Steven Sund, former chief of the Capitol Police, if he thought the riot was “foreseeable and predictable.”

“No, I don’t,” he responded.

Five people died during the riot. U.S. Capitol Police said officer Brian Sicknick was fatally injured during the siege. He received the rare tribute of lying in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda before his cremated remains were sent to Arlington National Cemetery to be laid to rest. Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran and Trump supporter, was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer while she attempted to climb through a window into the Speaker’s Lobby. Three others died from “medical emergencies,” according to officials.

Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House for incitement of insurrection in connection to the attack on Congress, which took place as lawmakers counted electoral votes from the 2020 election, but he was acquitted by the Senate earlier this month.