GOP senator: Trump hasn’t ‘changed much’ since campaign

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) shot down questions about impeaching President Trump on Wednesday by noting voters elected Trump in November and he hasn’t “changed much” since.

Pressed by reporters a day after Trump’s latest controversial comments on the violence in Charlottesville, Va., the GOP senator said he saw “no grounds” for impeachment.

“Listen, the American people elected Donald Trump, and I’m not sure he’s changed much from what he was during the campaign, so again I see no grounds for that,” he said, when asked if he believed Trump was fit for office.

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Trump reignited a political firestorm on Tuesday after he blamed the “alt-left” and white nationalist groups for part of the violence that left a woman dead in Virginia over the weekend. He also said there were “very fine people” on both sides.

The rally that led to open violence and multiple injuries was organized by white supremacist, white nationalist and pro-KKK groups.

Johnson said on Wednesday that he was “not entirely” comfortable with Trump’s rhetoric regarding the violence. The senator has previously denounced Trump’s rhetoric. But said he doesn’t believe the president is racist.

Pressed why he believed that, Johnson said “because I just don’t think so.”

“Okay do you have any other questions? I think we’ve covered this one well enough,” Johnson said when a reporter asked if he thought the president was too tolerant of racism.

GOP lawmakers have rebuked Trump for the comments, and at least one Democratic lawmaker has accused him of being racist.

Johnson added that he was uncomfortable about Trump’s comments for “the same things that make the American people uncomfortable.”

“For the same reason we haven’t moved beyond this issue. Let’s try to unify this nation, let’s try and heal it, let’s try and focus on what is causing the division and try and reduce it,” he said.

Asked if he still supports the president, the GOP senator noted that “no two people agree 100 percent of the time” but he would try to work with Trump where they agree.

He also listed several areas where he agrees with Trump.

“On the big things? Growing our economy? Reducing the regulatory burden. … Certainly from my stand point having a strong military,” he said. “I want to help [the president] succeed at the goal we all share which is keeping this national safe, prosperous and secure.”