Contact: Courtney Beyer, courtneyb@wisdems.org
“At best, Ron Johnson is a foolish, oblivious cog in Russia’s efforts to undermine our democracy. At worst, he’s deeply corrupt.”
MADISON — In light of special counsel Robert Mueller’s decision to indict 12 Russian intelligence agents in connection with 2016 hacking efforts to interfere in our nation’s elections, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is demanding more information on Sen. Ron Johnson’s secret all-GOP trip to Russia last week, after which Johnson downplayed the threat of Russian election interference, saying “[it’s] not the greatest threat[s] to our democracy” and “when you look at threats to this nation I look at much larger threats.”
“Who did Ron Johnson meet with in Russia on his secret all Republican trip to Russia, and why did he return spewing out Russian talking points?” asked Martha Laning, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “Russia interfered in our elections. That is a fact. It is also a fact that dozens of people have been charged with crimes in relation to the tampering. So why would Ron Johnson willingly go to Russia knowing this?
“This was an all-out attack on our democracy. Russia continues to pose a threat to our national security, and it is deeply disturbing that Ron Johnson hasn’t taken this credible, well-investigated threat seriously.
“Wisconsinites deserve some answers. At best, Ron Johnson is a foolish oblivious cog in Russia’s efforts to undermine our democracy. At worst, he’s deeply corrupt.”