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Is Ron Johnson a 'traitor'? Senator cries voting 'irregularities' a day after acknowledging Joe Biden's victory

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Ron Johnson claimed the meeting was simply to evaluate information while Democrat Gary Peters argued it was fanning conspiracy theories

A Republican-led Senate panel that gave a platform for supporters of President Donald Trump to disagree with the results of the 2020 election, at one point, turned into a shouting match between a top Republican and Democrat on the committee. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Ron Johnson claimed the meeting was simply to evaluate information while Democrats like Gary Peters argued it was fanning conspiracy theories that undermine US democracy.

As reported by Politico, GOP-called witnesses, including two Trump campaign lawyers, alleged widespread fraud in Nevada, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, some of which had been considered and scrapped in court while others had no basis. The lone witness called by Democrats was the former top election security official of the Trump administration, Christopher Krebs.

He requested Americans to put baseless election disputes behind them and cautioned that false conspiracy claims had fueled violent threats to election officials, including him. “I think we’re past the point where we need to be having conversations about the outcome of this election,” said Krebs.

Johnson alleged, without evidence, that fraud had undoubtedly occurred at an indeterminable scale. It was Johnson’s last hearing as chair of the panel, and while he offered some words of comity to his Democratic colleagues, he also had a bitter exchange with Peters. "You lied repeatedly in the press that I was spreading Russian disinformation,” Johnson said after Peters criticized Johnson's decision to hold the election hearing.

“I can’t sit by here and listen to this and say — this is not disinformation at this hearing today. We’re not going to be able to just move on without bringing up these irregularities,” he said. “This is not about airing your grievances. I don't know what rabbit hole you're running down,” Peters said. “This is terrible what you’re doing to this committee.”

Peters also said, “Whether intended or not, this hearing gives a platform to conspiracy theories and lies. It is a destructive exercise that has no place in the United States Senate.” The hearing comes at a time when Senate Republicans have gradually begun to publicly acknowledge Joe Biden’s victory, after weeks of silence amid Trump’s resistance. On Tuesday, December 15, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell congratulated Biden.

Even Johnson, as reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, acknowledged Biden as the president-elect and believed the election was legitimate. However, he had also informed that he would hold the Wednesday, December 16, hearing because there are “legitimate questions” about the process in which the election was administrated in Wisconsin and other states.

He said, “All I’m trying to do is hold a very upfront, straightforward hearing talking about what controls there are in place, what fraud does occur, what can we do to prevent fraud in the future.”

On Twitter, #TraitorRonJohnson started trending. One user said, “You know you are lying. Most of the American people know you are lying. #TraitorRonJohnson. We will not forget.” A user alleged, “Wow he's with homeland security. We got hacked by Russia & personal info was taken. Why TF isn't Ron worrying about that instead of the frivolous election fraud? Russia was able to cuz no one was manning the ship! Wtf these people need to be kicked out!”

Another said, “#TraitorRonJohnson shame on you for projecting in order to avoid the truth and accept defeat. Get a better candidate, stop the sore loser act.” A user commented, “Ron Johnson is an embarrassment to the Badger state and the country. #TraitorRonJohnson.”

These remarks were made by the Internet and individual organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently nor does it support these claims being made on the Internet.