Ron Johnson suggests more congressional hearings into 9/11, spreads conspiracy theory

Wisconsin Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson suggested he wants new congressional hearings into the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and alleged the federal government is covering up information.

An April 21 clip of Johnson making the claims to Benny Johnson, a conservative commentator, gained traction on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“My guess is there’s an awful lot being covered up, in terms of what the American government knows about 9/11,” the senator said. “With this administration, I think President Trump should have some interest, being a New Yorker himself.”

Asked if he would hold congressional hearings into the 2001 attacks, Johnson said he thinks so. Johnson chairs the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, part of the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs in the Senate.

The Journal Sentinel reached out to Johnson’s office for additional details, including when Johnson would hold such hearings and their scope. A spokeswoman said a potential hearing would depend on what information or documentation Johnson’s office obtains.

Congress held hearings in 2021 — two decades after Sept. 11 — where intelligence and security officials gave insight into the attacks and intelligence failures before 9/11.

Johnson said he’s talked to former U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, who recently appeared on former Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s show alleging a cover-up. Weldon has pushed Trump to reinvestigate 9/11.

“I will work with him to expose what he’s willing to expose,” Johnson said. “My eyes have been opened up.”

In the interview, Johnson questioned how a third building, World Trade Center 7, could have collapsed in “any other way than a controlled demolition.”

Conspiracy theorists claim planted explosives caused it to fall. Others question how it collapsed when no airplane struck it.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, whose investigation into the collapse Johnson called corrupt, determined that debris from destruction of the Twin Towers started fires on floors of Building 7. The sprinkler system failed, and heat from the flames meant a structural column failed, ultimately causing the whole building to fall.

Johnson has also claimed that the Great Depression was “pretty well planned,” adding he knew it sounds like a conspiracy theory. In his interview with Benny Johnson, the senator said he knew they would both be considered conspiracy theorists.

“But that’s exactly how they keep this stuff covered up, is they accuse those of us that want to expose the truth that we’re just a bunch of conspiracy theorists,” the senator said.

Johnson’s claims sparked criticism on X, including from Republicans who do not support President Donald Trump.

“We were friends,” Joe Walsh, a former Republican congressman who worked with Johnson in Congress in 2010, posted on X. “He was just a normal Tea Party senator back then. I don’t recognize him now.”

(This story was updated to add new information.)