(CNN) Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of GOP leadership, argued on Sunday that Americans don't need "alternative versions" of what occurred the day of the US Capitol insurrection, pushing back on Republican Sen. Ron Johnson's comments that mischaracterize the riot and its participants. "We don't need to try and explain away or come up with alternative versions. Calling January 6 "a terrible day for America," the Missouri Republican said, "I think it was absolutely unacceptable and we can't let that kind of thing be repeated again in our country." The Wisconsin Republican has made several comments downplaying the severity of the Capitol attack, including previously saying that he didn't believe that what occurred was "armed insurrection." Johnson has also pushed the conspiracy theory that there were professional provocateurs within the mob at the Capitol -- despite the FBI having said there was no evidence Antifa or any other groups of leftist instigators were part of the crowd.

Source: CNN March 21, 2021 17:09 UTC