With former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial approaching in the Senate, Republicans have been attempting to place the blame for the January 6 insurrection anywhere but on him.
Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin even went so far as to claim Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California—who the rioters seemed to be targeting as a potential victim—was responsible for the violence.
Ron Johnson absurdly floats that Nancy Pelosi is somehow responsible for a MAGA mob descending on the Capitol for a… https://t.co/xmOVMIu9Cq— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1612712491.0
Twitter couldn't believe how willing Johnson was to twist the facts.
You can set the lowest of bars, and Ron Johnson will still clothesline himself with it. https://t.co/1nCNPZm6Le— Senator Chris Larson (@Senator Chris Larson) 1612793067.0
Listening to Ron Johnson l discovered a new disease - osteoporosis of the brain. It’s really fragile in there. Lots… https://t.co/Lb3y20aemJ— Marsha Parker (@Marsha Parker) 1612748008.0
Ron Johnson accusing Nancy Pelosi for January 6 is like blaming the victim for a crime....... #DespicableGOP— 🖤🦋Rowan Moon🦋🖤 (@🖤🦋Rowan Moon🦋🖤) 1612735115.0
Johnson isn't the only Republican trying to protect Donald Trump with ludicrous arguments.
So basically it was two women’s fault (Ron Johnson blamed Pelosi over the weekend) https://t.co/98L32K0SEZ— Look here, Jack (@Look here, Jack) 1612803807.0
@atrupar We can’t have the lie that Biden didn’t win the election perpetuate endlessly. Trump is now an alternate r… https://t.co/r4S9wHJqp2— Luke Zaleski (@Luke Zaleski) 1612714986.0
Twitter users everywhere criticized Johnson for spreading yet more conspiracy theories.
@atrupar That is the act of a desperate man. The GOP has nothing plausible to argue in Trump's defense, so they're… https://t.co/OsgTHxQeho— Monty 🇺🇸Lincoln's Speeches🇺🇸 Boa (@Monty 🇺🇸Lincoln's Speeches🇺🇸 Boa) 1612713242.0
The idea Nancy Pelosi incited the mob calling for violence against her is laughable.
Like claiming King George as the actual author of the Declaration of Independence. https://t.co/YzBt81fg2U— Rick Tyler-Still Right (@Rick Tyler-Still Right) 1612729044.0
@atrupar Sen. Johnson is a traitor. Of course he blames an innocent party and deflects from his treachery.— A Hopeful Citizen (@A Hopeful Citizen) 1612712793.0
Ron Johnson blaming a woman for being attacked is the most Republican thing to ever Republican.— The Volatile Mermaid (@The Volatile Mermaid) 1612733753.0
It certainly doesn't seem like Johnson is prepared to give an unbiased, impartial opinion during President Trump's impeachment hearings.
Though Republican Senators like Ron Johnson are trying to shift the blame, the insurrectionists at the Capitol on January 6 were adamant about who inspired them to be there—President Donald Trump.