WASHINGTON — The Republican senator from Wisconsin, Ron Johnson, never very good at his homework, mounted a blistering attack on Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison at a Senate hearing. With bluster Johnson blamed Ellison for killing Renee Wood and Alex Pretti during street protests in Minneapolis. Ellison listened at first politely but then found himself unable to resist a growing and incredulous smirk. Finally out of steam, Johnson paused. Ellison finally spoke: “Nice theatrical performance, Senator, but that never happened.” Johnson couldn’t find words to respond, then told Ellison to wipe the smirk off his face. Ellison sat attentive and silent. Johnson became more flustered by the second, his fellow senators stunned by Ellison’s putdown. Finally Johnson snarled lowly at Ellison: “You disgust me.” Outmaneuvered effortlessly by one of the nation’s most prominent state attorneys general, Johnson spoke no more. Other Republicans on the Senate committee also tried to transfer responsibility for murder and mayhem in Minnesota away from Trump and his military intrusions of the state. It didn’t wash.
Senate hearing
Ellison had been summoned to testify before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Also testifying were Harry Niska, the Republican floor leader in the Minnesota House, and Paul Schnell, state prisons commissioner. The committee was investigating confilcts between federal immigration officials and local Minnesota authorities during the Trump military occupation of Minnesota.
A moment of buffoonery. Intimidatingly high on an elevated podium, Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, wildly berates Minnesota General Keith Ellison at a witness table below. Didn’t work.
Ellison’s smirk. A national leader against Trump ‘s constitutional overreach.