Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson is facing backlash for comments he made Thursday about Black Lives Matter and anitfa that have been deemed "racist" and "unacceptable."
Johnson, a Republican, told a Wisconsin Radio show host that he was not concerned for his safety during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, which left five dead, but that he may have been if the protesters had been linked to those groups.
Johnson said he "never really felt threatened" because the protesters were largely "people that love this country, that truly respect law enforcement, would never do anything to break a law."
But Johnson told radio host Joe "Pags" Pagliarulo, "Had the tables been turned and President Trump won the election and those were thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa protestors I would have been concerned."
Over 300 people have been charged in connection to the Capitol attack, and investigations are ongoing. Protestors who breached the Capitol on Jan. 6 injured dozens of Capitol Police officers who were met by an often violent and armed mob attempting to enter the Capitol building. Pipe bombs were placed at the RNC and DNC headquarters in advance of the riot. The breach required members of the House and Senate, as well as the former vice president, to be evacuated from their respective chambers, and led the House of Representatives to bring an article of impeachment against Trump, who was later acquitted by the Senate.
The breach of the Capitol stemmed from a "Save America" rally at which Trump encouraged supporters to march to Capitol Hill, where Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States.
MORE: At least 100 more to be charged in Capitol attack investigation, DOJ expects
Johnson's comments sparked backlash from Democratic lawmakers and groups.
The Democratic group American Bridge 21st Century released a statement calling on Johnson to resign.
"Senator Johnson’s remarks are racist and unacceptable. There is nothing patriotic about storming the Capitol to attempt to overturn an election and murder elected officials," the statement reads. "Apparently for Ron Johnson, simply being Black is a bigger offense than launching a violent insurrection. Ron Johnson is an embarrassment to the United States Senate and the state of Wisconsin. He needs to resign immediately."