Did Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson visit Russia on the Fourth of July?
By Erin Gretzinger
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
Copy featured image
YES
In 2018, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson visited Moscow, Russia with a group of seven other members of Congress on the Fourth of July. During the visit, the group warned Russia to not interfere with the U.S. 2018 midterm elections.
Election interference was the main topic the lawmakers discussed with top Russian officials. It was the first congressional delegation to visit Russia since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The trip was scheduled a month before former President Donald Trump was set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The visit drew criticism because it happened to fall on the Fourth of July; however, to suggest that the trip was a celebration of the American holiday is a misrepresentation of facts.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.