Johnson confronts Romney after vote on witnesses

Two Republican senators — Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Mitt Romney of Utah — got into a confrontation on the Senate floor Saturday after Romney voted with Democrats to allow witnesses in the impeachment trial of former President Trump.

Reporters sitting in the Senate gallery said they saw a “visibly upset” Johnson turn to Romney and point at him after the vote.

The two men then got into a back-and-forth, with Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) trying to play referee. 

Voices were raised, and at one point Johnson was overheard saying he blamed Romney.  

Johnson is a staunch Trump ally who argued the defense “eviscerated” the Democratic prosecutors and “blew their case out of the water.” Romney, a frequent Trump critic, voted to convict Trump on one count during last year’s impeachment trial. In the second trial, Romney voted both that the impeachment trial over whether Trump incited an insurrection on Jan. 6 was constitutional and for witnesses to be called.

Johnson on Saturday flashed his anger at reporters who later asked him about his exchange with Romney.  

“Those are private. Those are private conversations,” Johnson said.

“Reporters heard it,” a reporter replied just off the Senate chamber. “I just want to make sure we’re getting it right.”

“That’s grotesque you guys are recording us,” the senator retorted.

“They were allowed to witness your proceedings” on the Senate floor, the reporter said.

Television cameras controlled by the Senate apparently did not capture the exchange.