Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, expressed disbelief Wednesday that the U.S. Capitol Building was besieged by supporters of President Donald Trump as Congress was debating the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election.
“The Capitol is on lockdown. I am safe,” the congressman said via social media. “I cannot believe that this has gotten to this point. My heart breaks for our country today.”
He did not disclose his exact location.
Prior to the protest, up to a half-million people gathered to hear President Donald Trump speak outside the White House, during which he recited a litany of alleged acts of fraud impacting Nov. 3 election results — allegations that have been rejected by courts in multiple states due to lack of evidence. He alleged similar fraud had undermined Tuesday’s Senate runoff elections in Georgia.
After the roughly hourlong speech, the president’s supporters marched on the Capitol Building, where members of Congress were debating Electoral College votes from Arizona. The crowd clashed with Capitol Police, and there were reports of shots being fired and tear gas deployed in the Capitol Rotunda.
The Senate and House chambers were both evacuated and Capitol office buildings were placed on lockdown.
“Trump has enabled this behavior by peddling conspiracies and lies,” Takano said. “Every one of my Republican colleagues must condemn it.”
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, decried the unrest.
“The protesters disrupting the constitutional process right now must back down and let Congress do their job,” Calvert wrote on Twitter. “This is no way to express their disappointment in the election process. Violence is never acceptable.”
Trump took to Twitter in response to the insurrection. He did not call on people to leave the Capitol, only to avoid violence.
“I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful,” Trump wrote. “No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!”