WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Western New York's Congressional delegation is reacting to violence that broke out Wednesday afternoon in our nation's capital as lawmakers were meeting to certify the Electoral College votes from the 2020 Presidential election.
Congressman Brian Higgins (D-26) has released a statement regarding the occupation of the nation's Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump:
“The US Capitol is a sacred space - a building at the literal center of our capital and central to our democracy. The actions of protestors today, egged on by the outgoing President to disrupt the certification of electoral votes of what is a ceremonial formality, should be seen by all Americans as a challenge to the legitimacy of our democracy. This is domestic terrorism, and it has no place in America.”
Later in a telephone interview with 2 On Your Side Investigative Reporter Steve Brown, Higgins laid blame at the feet of some GOP leaders, "This is a horrible situation. It’s an insurrection and it’s being incited by (President Donald) Trump, (Texas Senator Ted) Cruz, (Missouri Senator Josh) Hawley and everyone of the gutless Congressional colleagues that have given consent to this insurrection.”
And Higgins suspects some members of Congress may have played a role in the breach of the Capitol, "It should be investigated that some members of Congress may be complicit in this by perhaps allowing protestors to get in or perhaps providing intelligence."
Congressman Tom Reed (R-23) had this to say about the unrest:
"Violence such as what we are seeing at the Capitol is absolutely unacceptable. We must de-escalate the situation immediately. We are Americans and do not do this.
My heart breaks for our nation right now. Our country and its beautiful democracy is better than this. Our Constitution calls for the civil transition of power and though we may not agree with the election results, we must agree to always act with honor and civility towards all. We believe in the right to peacefully protest, but we must emphatically reject these horrible instances of physical attacks on our governing institutions and let democracy proceed."
During an interview with 2 On You Side while at the Capitol, Congressman Reed described where he was during the capital breach.
"I was technically outside the chamber but I was on the Capitol grounds and what you saw is a mass of people coming up from the White House on Pennsylvania avenue, essentially to the Capitol," Reed said. "Then you saw the breach into the Capitol, and obviously you have Capitol police doing the best they could to control the situation, but the number of people that were storming the building, it was clear they were not going to be able to stop that."
Republican Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released a statement as well saying this behavior is unacceptable:
“I condemn the violence and destruction that is taking place in our nation’s capital in the strongest possible terms. While our country cherishes peaceful protest, this current behavior is unacceptable and has no place in a democracy. I urge all protestors to immediately and peacefully leave the Capitol building and the surrounding area and to follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel.”
Prior to the protest, Jacobs released a statement saying he would object to the certification of the Presidential election.
Jacobs says due to the ongoing pandemic, several states made unprecedented changes to their electoral systems without the "authorization of their respective state legislatures as the Constitution dictates." In addition to this, Jacobs says many Americans still have concerns about the integrity of the presidential election, adding that such concerns "have yet to be properly adjudicated."
State Senator Sean Ryan released a statement Wednesday evening, pointing the finger at Jacobs and others who said they would object to the certification of the electoral votes from contested states:
“Today a mob invaded the U.S. Capitol, fueled by lies from Congressman Chris Jacobs and others about the 2020 election. By supporting the effort for Congress to overturn the election, Congressman Jacobs and those who joined him have betrayed their oaths and disgraced their offices. It is absolutely shameful. I do not even recognize the Chris Jacobs I used to know.
"Is this what Chris Jacobs really believes, or is he just doing this to win votes from the extreme right of his party? With the election over, and Donald Trump on his way out of office, what is Congressman Jacobs' continued reasoning for supporting the despicable behavior of Donald Trump? Is the supposed "moderate" Chris Jacobs ever going to come back? Time will tell. Despite the efforts of violent terrorists who attacked the Capitol, Joe Biden will be sworn in as President and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as Vice President on January 20th. Democracy perseveres.”
New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement, calling the people who protested domestic terrorists:
"It’s more than an assault on the Capitol building. It’s an assault on democracy and America itself. Domestic terrorists who undermine our free and fair elections and attempt to sabotage the peaceful transfer of power must be brought to justice."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also released a statement saying the incident was a failed coup attempt:
"The cornerstone of our democracy is the peaceful transfer of power. We must call this what it actually is: a failed attempt at a coup. This is the final chapter of an incompetent, cruel, and divisive administration that has trampled on the Constitution and the rule of law at every turn, and we won't let President Trump, the members of Congress who enable him, or the lawless mob that stormed our nation's Capitol steal our democracy. The election results are clear and the will of the American people will be carried out."
New York State Senator Robert Ortt released the following statement on Twitter:
"As a veteran, I’ve proudly fought for American’s right to protest peacefully. There is nothing peaceful about the chaos in Washington today. This is NOT who we are."
Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who represents District 139, which consists of Genesee County, Orleans County and part of Monroe County, released the following statement:
"We have our First Amendment for a reason, violence is never acceptable regardless of what you believe politically. We are a people of one nation, regardless of political beliefs."
Dozens of Trump supporters breached security perimeters and entered the Capitol as Congress was meeting, expected to vote and affirm Joe Biden’s presidential win. They were seen fighting with officers both inside the building and outside.