Ron Johnson

I want to see a clearly articulated goal of destroying ISIS as quickly as possible.

I believe the threat is growing. I think it is more grave.

So I know in these last 3 years because of another hearing, we spent $75 billion fighting the war on drugs. We are not conquering it, are we?

Senator Johnson. And I realize these questions are somewhat removed from militarization of the police force, but again, I am looking, based on the testimony, this is the reason this militarization began.

Senator Johnson. So again, war on drugs, but also war on crime.

I mean, are we making any progress on the war on drugs at all? We have been engaged in this for decades now.

I think my point being is if--we are making the decision at the wrong level here.

I think people need to have skin in the game.

When people get things for free, when you get a lot of money, one of the first things my wife as an IRS agent learned, the first government phrase was, 'Use it or lose it.'

Do you know of too many police departments that turn free things down?

Of course, there is always a great desire to get free things from the Federal Government, correct?

If this was all really caused initially by the drug war, the militarization buildup of this, is in reaction to the drug war, these no-knock raids are about drugs, what is the solution?

I can understand the Federal role in terms of information sharing and potentially communication devices.

This program, which has apparently provided about $5.1 billion of free equipment since 1997--it has all been free, correct?

I ask Captain Johnson if he had any intention of running through office, I ask him that after he visited the voter registration table, he said, no, not at all.

Well, I figure that I'm just concerned that for our public safety, the safety of our public, the safety of the officers and we'll continue to strive forward to make that better.

I think a lot of it is. Outside the community, let's know that I'm not just talking about people outside of this state. There are people from other communities within this area that are coming in and providing a lot of this damage and…

As I talked last night, we're asking the peaceful protesters to come out early and go home before it gets dark. So, we have an opportunity to address those individuals, those criminals have been on destruction and bringing harm to this…

Protesters are peaceful and respectful. Protesters don't clash with police. They don't throw Molotov cocktails, criminals who throw Molotov cocktails and fire shots and endangers lives and property.

I want to start off by talking to Mike Brown's family. And I want you to know my heart goes out to you and I say that I'm sorry. I wear this uniform. And I should stand up here and say that I'm sorry.

Because Michael is going to make it better for our sons, so they can be a better black men.

I will protect your right to protest.

I want to start off by talking Michael Brown's family. And I want you to know my heart goes out to you and I say that I'm sorry. I wear this uniform and I was just standing up here and say that I'm sorry. This is my neighborhood. You are…

But, again, you are going to write the regulations. You believe you have the authority to write those regulations and enforce them?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.