WASHINGTON — Elected officials from New York are speaking out against Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., after he suggested that one of the buildings that collapsed as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks came down in a “controlled demolition” — a conspiracy theory that has long been debunked by experts.
“His statements are ignorant, and are shockingly offensive to the 9/11 families and the people who were brutally murdered that day by fanatic Al Qaeda terrorists,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, told Spectrum News in a statement.
The criticism of Johnson is bipartisan. Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing part of New York’s northern suburbs, said Johnson should “stop peddling conspiracy theories about the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history.”
“Crap like this dishonors and disrespects the innocent lives lost, our brave first responders, and all families and survivors who still carry the pain of 9/11 each and every day,” Lawler wrote on X.
Johnson responded to the criticism from Schumer and Lawler.
“It is the firefighters who have been leading the charge for over 20 years to have their legitimate questions answered," he told Spectrum News 1 in a statement. "I am honoring them by responding to their concerns. I recommend that everyone watch the documentary ‘Calling Out Bravo-7’ before criticizing those who are seeking the truth.”
The conspiracy theory focuses on World Trade Center Building 7, which was not one of the two towers struck by planes that day. An investigation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that debris from the collapse of the Twin Towers ignited fires in Building 7. The sprinkler system did not function, and heat from the uncontrolled fires caused a key structural column to fail. After burning for seven hours, Building 7 collapsed.
Johnson, who is chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, said he thinks he will hold a hearing on the matter. The subcommittee is part of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
“There’s an awful lot of questions,” Johnson said on a podcast hosted by conservative activist Benny Johnson. “Who ordered the removal and then destruction of all that evidence?”
Johnson also suggested President Donald Trump, a New Yorker, would have interest in answering those questions. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“My guess is there’s an awful lot being covered up in terms of what the American government knows about 9/11,” Johnson said.
First responders will be visiting the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, and they have a meeting with Johnson's office. Spectrum News has sent an interview request to Johnson's team and are waiting for a response.
