Michigan State Rep. Cynthia Johnson, a Democrat, was stripped of her committee assignments and is now under investigation after issuing a “warning” to “Trumpers,” according to the Michigan House Speaker’s office.
Johnson was the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, the panel that heard testimony last week from witnesses alleging election fraud and intimidation. Later, on her Facebook page, Johnson claimed that people were making threats to her, telling her supporters to make “things right and in order,” warning President Donald Trump’s supporters to “be careful” and “walk lightly.”
She then stated: “We ain’t playing with you.” Johnson said, “And for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it right. Be in order. Make them pay.” Johnson posted another video Wednesday morning saying she meant “soldiers” for Jesus Christ to “rise” against racism. The lawmaker also said on CNN that she received threatening voicemails saying she will be “swinging from a rope.”
Threats to Democrats or Republicans are unacceptable and un-American. They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official. Rep. CA Johnson has been stripped of her committees and we’re looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their investigation. pic.twitter.com/Y5lTqqmEVI
— Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) December 9, 2020
House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican, said in a letter on Wednesday that “Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations.”
Chatfield added that “threats to either Democrats or Republicans are unacceptable and un-American.” The speaker also cited reported threats to Gov. Michigan Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, both Democrats, as unacceptable.
Johnson, however, faced criticism from Trump’s legal team last week when she asked a witness, Jessy Jacob, about her “real name.”
Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis highlighted a clip at the hearing including Johnson, who represents part of Detroit, where Johnson asked a Jacob what her “real name” is. Jacob replied that her last name changed after she got married. Johnson then asked for the spelling of her maiden name. It was the only question she asked.
“How do you know these witnesses are telling the truth about Democrat intimidation? Because you’re witnessing Michigan LEGISLATORS openly intimidating them on the floor of this committee, on national television,” Trump attorney Jenna Ellis wrote on Twitter on Dec. 2.
Ellis claimed that in that interaction with Jacob, Johnson was “[trying] to intimidate and publicly dox a witness on national television simply because she doesn’t like the witness’s testimony.”
Jacob, who appeared to have an Indian accent and wore a mask, alleged that she was told by election workers in Detroit’s TCF Center to backdate ballots on Election Day. She described the behavior as fraudulent and corrupt.
Also in the Michigan hearing, Johnson also interrupted and tried to argue with another witness before committee Chairman Matt Hall, a Republican, overruled Johnson.
Rep. Johnson’s office hasn’t responded to a request for comment.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly said Chatfield overruled Johnson. This has been corrected, and The Epoch Times regrets this error.
