Michael Fanone, an officer assaulted in the Capitol riot, met with Sen. Ron Johnson over January 6 commission and 'let him have it,' report says

May 27, 2021

Michael Fanone, an officer assaulted in the Capitol riot, met with Sen. Ron Johnson over January 6 commission and 'let him have it,' report says

The Senate was expected to vote Thursday on establishing a commission to study the Capitol riot.
Sen. Ron Johnson had a tense meeting with Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone ahead of the vote, CNN reported.
Johnson said in a statement he thanked Fanone but that he still doesn't support a commission.
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Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone met with Republican Sen. Ron Johnson ahead of the Senate's vote on the January 6 commission.

Fanone was one of the police officers defending the Capitol when a pro-Trump mob breached the building, attacking officers and forcing lawmakers to evacuate. Video obtained by CNN showed the moment Fanone was assaulted. Prosecutors said Fanone was shot with a stun gun, beaten with a flagpole, and had a heart attack.

Fanone has been vocal about the violence he experienced that day, saying he had PTSD as a result. He has also criticized Republicans who have tried to downplay the day's events.

On Thursday, the Senate was expected to vote on a bill that would establish a commission to study the events of January 6. Ahead of the expected vote, Fanone met with Johnson and "let him have it," sources familiar with the meeting told CNN.

The outlet reported the meeting was tense and included a discussion of Johnson's comments about the riot, which he referred to as "by and large a peaceful protest" last week. ABC reported Fanone said he was exhausted after having to relive the events of the insurrection on Thursday.

The Wisconsin senator also met with the family of Brian Sicknick - the Capitol Police officer who had a stroke and died one day after being confronted by rioters at the Capitol - including Sicknick's mother, Gladys Sicknick, and his longtime partner, Sandra Garza.

Gladys Sicknick told reporters on Thursday she came to the Capitol to urge lawmakers to vote in favor of the January 6 commission, adding that she "couldn't stay quiet anymore."

Following the meetings, Johnson released a statement saying he "respectfully disagreed on the added value of the proposed commission" but that he committed to "doing everything I could to ensure all their questions will be answered."

He also said he thanked Fanone and expressed his "strong support for law enforcement."

Most Senate Republicans have said they do not support the commission, arguing it should include other unrelated incidents of political violence. A few Republican senators have indicated they are going to support the bill, including Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

The House passed the bill last week, with 35 House Republicans voting in favor of it.

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