WASHINGTON — Shortly after President Trump addressed his supporters vowing "never to concede" the election in a speech on the Ellipse, large crowds of pro-Trump protesters marched to the U.S. Capitol and breached police barricades, making their way into the building, outside Senate chambers.
The Capitol was placed on lockdown, and police ordered evacuations of several buildings, and the certification of Electoral College votes was delayed.
Shortly after the lockdown and evacuations, Kentucky and Indiana politicians took to Twitter to condemn any violence happening at the Capitol and provide updates of their safety.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul
“I wrote a speech today.
“I was planning to say I fear the chaos of establishing a precedent that Congress can overturn elections.
“Boy, was I right.
“Chaos. Anarchy. It’s wrong and un-American.
“The vote we are about to cast is important.
“Now more than ever.
“The question is:
“Should Congress override the certified results from the states and nullify the states’ right to conduct elections?
“The vote today is not a protest; the vote today is literally to overturn the election!
“Voting to overturn state-certified elections would be the opposite of what states’ rights Republicans have always advocated for.
“This would doom the electoral college forever.
“It was never intended by our founders that Congress have the power to overturn state-certified elections.
“My oath to the Constitution doesn’t allow me to disobey the law. I cannot vote to overturn the verdict of the states.
“Such a vote would be to overturn everything held dear by those of us who support the rights of states in this great system of federalism bequeathed to us by our founders.
“The electoral college was created to devolve the power of selecting presidential electors to the states.
“The electoral college is, without question, an inseparable friend to those who believe that every American across our vast country deserves to be heard.
“If Congress were given the power to overturn the states’ elections . . . what terrible chaos would ensue.
“Imagine the furor against the electoral college if Congress becomes a forum to overturn states’ electoral college slates.
“It is one thing to be angry. It is another to focus one’s anger in a constructive way. That hasn’t happened today, to say the least. We simply cannot destroy the Constitution, our laws, and the electoral college in the process. I hope as the nation’s anger cools, we can channel that energy into essential electoral reforms in every state.
“America is admired around the world for our free elections. We must, we absolutely must, fix this mess and restore confidence and integrity to our elections.”
Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth
Full tweet text: "My staff and I are safe and following the U.S. Capitol Police’s evacuation orders as large groups of Trump supporters are attempting to storm the Capitol and House buildings. This is not who we are as Americans.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron
Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr
“Today’s events at the U.S. Capitol are tragic, outrageous and devastating. They are wholly inconsistent with the fundamental values of our constitutional Republic. The United States is an exceptional nation because we resolve our differences peacefully—through the ballot box, the courts and our democratic institutions—not through violence. What is happening at the Capitol is NOT who we are as a nation, it needs to stop NOW. I pray for peace, unity and the brave men and women of the Capitol Hill Police, the Washington DC Police and peaceful protesters in harms way. May God bless our country.”
Kentucky Rep. Hal Rogers
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie
Kentucky Rep. James Comer
“At this time, my staff and I are safe and I am in an undisclosed location after evacuating the House floor when protestors made their way inside the Capitol. The outrageous rioting and violence taking place at the Capitol Building is completely unacceptable and not who we are as a nation of law and order. Mob violence is wrong regardless of political affiliation.”
Kentucky State Treasury Allison Ball
Kentucky Sec. of State Michael Adams
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers
“The events that occurred today in Washington, D.C. were tragic and should have never happened. This deplorable act of violence that took place at the Capitol Building should be condemned by all.”
Kentucky House and Senate Democratic Leaders Joni Jenkins and Morgan McGarvey
“What happened today in Washington, D.C., is not who we are or what we stand for as a nation. We condemn these acts and any plans to undermine our constitutional protections. It’s time we unite as Americans and send a strong message that acts of violence will not be tolerated.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb
“It’s both saddening and sickening to watch a mob devolve into thinking their rules would ever replace the rule of law. I unequivocally condemn the violence at the U.S. Capitol that we are now witnessing. Passion, patriotism and love for our nation should always and only be expressed in constructive ways that seek to honor the ideals on which our nation was founded. Any means of violence runs counter to who we are and is never acceptable.”
Indiana Sen. Mike Braun
Indiana Sen. Todd Young
Indiana Rep. Trey Hollingsworth
PHOTOS | Trump supporters clash with police, storm US Capitol
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