Several prominent Republican politicians have shared strong statements condemning protests conducted by President Donald Trump's supporters at the United States Capitol building, which forced legislators to evacuate the House and Senate chambers on Wednesday (January 6.)
Protesters supporting President Trump stormed the United States Capitol amid the vote to certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election on Tuesday (January 6), forcing elected officials to evacuate the House and Senate chambers.
An announcement was made inside the Capitol ordering lawmakers to evacuate due to "an external security threat" as dozens of protesters forced their way inside the building, the Associated Press reports.
Former President George W. Bush issued an official statement on behalf of himself and wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, through the George W. Bush Presidential Center's official website, calling the protest an "insurrection," as well as "a sickening and heartbreaking sight."
"Laura and I are watching the scenes of mayhem unfolding at the seat of our Nation’s government in disbelief and dismay. It is a sickening and heartbreaking sight," Bush wrote. "This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic – not our democratic republic. I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement. The violent assault on the Capitol – and disruption of a Constitutionally-mandated meeting of Congress – was undertaken by people whose passions have been inflamed by falsehoods and false hopes. Insurrection could do grave damage to our Nation and reputation. In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law. To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: Our country is more important than the politics of the moment. Let the officials elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voices in peace and safety. May God continue to bless the United States of America."
Former Republican presidential nominee and current Senator Mitt Romney, who has been an outspoken critic of President Trump in the past, was reported to have been heard yelling, "This is what you've gotten, guys, to Republican colleagues who supported Trump's claims of a stolen election, the New York Times reports.
Romney reportedly told New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin "this is what the president has caused today, this insurrection."
Romney later shared the following statement on his website:
“We gather today due to a selfish man’s injured pride and the outrage of his supporters whom he has deliberately misinformed for the past two months and stirred to action this very morning. What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States. Those who choose to continue to support his dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy. They will be remembered for their role in this shameful episode in American history. That will be their legacy.
“The objectors have claimed they are doing so on behalf of the voters. Have an audit, they say, to satisfy the many people who believe that the election was stolen. Please! No Congressional led audit will ever convince those voters, particularly when the President will continue to claim that the election was stolen. The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth. That is the burden, and the duty, of leadership. The truth is that President-elect Biden won this election. President Trump lost. Scores of courts, the President’s own Attorney General, and state election officials both Republican and Democrat have reached this unequivocal decision.
“We must not be intimidated or prevented from fulfilling our constitutional duty. We must continue with the count of electoral college votes. In light of today’s sad circumstances, I ask my colleagues: Do we weigh our own political fortunes more heavily than we weigh the strength of our Republic, the strength of our democracy, and the cause of freedom? What is the weight of personal acclaim compared to the weight of conscience?
“Leader McConnell said that the vote today is the most important in his 40 plus years of public service. That is not because this vote reveals something about the election; it is because this vote reveals something about ourselves. I urge my colleagues to move forward with completing the electoral count, to refrain from further objections, and to unanimously affirm the legitimacy of the presidential election.”
Former Florida governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush also blamed President Trump for Wednesday's incident, sharing the following on his official Twitter account:
"The President has provoked the disgusting events at the Capitol today. He has gone from creating chaos to inciting insurrection. Mr. President, accept your defeat, go home to Florida and let our elected officials do their jobs and rebuild confidence in our democracy."
Both chambers were sent into recess and District of Columbia mayor, Muriel Bowser, implemented a curfew for 6:00 p.m. House Speaker Nancy Pelsoi confirmed the session would resume at some point on Wednesday night, which began at around 8:00 p.m. EST.
Photo: Getty Images