Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson: Assassination attempt 'can turn into a moment of healing and unity'

US Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin. (SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images)

Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wisc., said the attempt on former President Trump's life "can turn into a moment of healing and unity" for the country if Americans "realize what is at stake." 

"As President Lincoln said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. I've been saying for quite some time, as much as we're not addressing our debt and deficit issue, I think the greatest threat to America right now is the fact that we're horribly divided," Johnson told CNN host Jake Tapper Sunday morning on "State of the Union." 

Asked about the security measures at Trump's rally in Butler, Penn., Johnson said there was a "failure" and expressed his belief in the need for congressional oversight hearings following a law enforcement investigation. 

The Wisconsin lawmaker also said that Trump "knew exactly the risks he was taking running for re-election." But Trump did so anyway because he "loves this country," Johnson said. 

"And that's one other thing I would say about his supporters, those rally goers. If there's one attribute the Trump supporters have in common, they fervently love this country. And so, if the rest of America can understand that about Donald Trump, about the people who support Donald Trump, I think they love this country as well. There's a good place to start the healing and unification of this country. We need to understand that about each other." 

Johnson encouraged Americans to "resist" political groups that are "purposely trying to divide us for political advantage."