Ron Johnson apparently implies committee Republicans are blocking subpoenas of Comey, Brennan and others

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chair Ron Johnson appeared to imply Wednesday that Republican committee colleagues are preventing him from subpoenaing FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan, and other Obama administration officials who investigated allegations of collusion between President Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, Politico reports. Johnson’s apparent implication during a radio interview was made even though his committee has given him unilateral authority to issue the subpoenas.

Speaking to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Johnson, a Republican senator for Wisconsin, said: “We had a number of my committee members that were highly concerned about how this looks politically.”

Johnson said all eight Republican members of the committee must approve the issuance of any subpoenas, Politico reported. According to Johnson, just one refusal would result in a deadlock with the panel’s six Democrats.

However, in June, Johnson was given blanket authority to subpoena Comey, Brennan and the other officials. According to Politico, committee officials said no Republican is blocking Johnson and there may have been a misunderstanding in the interview with Hewitt. A spokesperson added that Johnson “is committed to running a thorough investigation.”

“Committee members want Chairman Johnson to attempt to get voluntary compliance, and also to be fully prepared for interviews by obtaining necessary documents, before compelling testimony,” the spokesperson told Politico. “Chairman Johnson has been working for months to gather documents and information from witnesses on a voluntary basis, but will subpoena witnesses when necessary — and as he has mentioned, his patience is wearing thin.”

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