SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington and Idaho leaders are condemning violence at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, as a mob supporting President Donald Trump breached police barricades and made their way into the building and Senate chambers.
The Capitol was placed on lockdown and the certification of Electoral College votes was delayed. Senators were being evacuated and some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices.
A shooting occurred inside the Capitol and one woman was killed.
Washington leaders respond to attack at U.S. Capitol
Gov. Inslee released a statement on events at the U.S. Capitol:
“The siege of the U.S. Capitol was an attack on democracy itself. It was fueled, precipitated and induced by the unrelenting and totally discredited lies of Donald Trump and his lackeys in Congress.
The members of Washington’s congressional delegation, their staff and all who serve in the Capitol should never fear for their safety in carrying out the people’s work.
But know this — democracy will not be denied. The ship of state will sail on. Our nation will persevere and a new president will take office.
And it is our fondest hope that those who have enabled Donald Trump will be touched by the better angels of their nature, and find the courage to stand up for our most precious gift of democracy and the institutions that have preserved it for centuries.”
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson called the attack a "coup attempt."
In a tweet, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) asked the mob in Washington D.C. to stop "attacks on Capitol Police."
"Stop these attacks on Capitol Police who serve to protect the People's House. Protesting peacefully is your right. Violence, aggression, and breaching security perimeters are not. Stop this now," her tweet reads.
On Tuesday, the congresswoman issued a statement saying she will "support the objections" to the Electoral College vote counts in states where there have been allegations of voter fraud. She then reversed that decision in a statement on Wednesday evening.
“What happened today and continues to unfold in the nation’s capital is disgraceful and un-American. Thugs assaulted Capitol Police Officers, breached and defaced our Capitol Building, put people’s lives in danger, and disregarded the values we hold dear as Americans. To anyone involved, shame on you.
"We must have a peaceful transfer of power. The only reason for my objection was to give voice to the concern that governors and courts unilaterally changed election procedures without the will of the people and outside of the legislative process. I have been consistent in my belief that Americans should utilize the Constitutional tools and legal processes available to seek answers to their questions about the 2020 election. What we have seen today is unlawful and unacceptable. I have decided I will vote to uphold the Electoral College results and I encourage Donald Trump to condemn and put an end to this madness.”
Rep. Marcus Riccelli, who represents Washington's 3rd District, responded to McMorris Rodgers' tweet on Wednesday. He accused the congresswoman of helping to "lead this insurrection."
"You did this and you are part of this. Make no mistake. This is your legacy. You have put not only the lives of the Capitol Police at risk, but our democracy. Instead of showing leadership to put a stop to this months ago you have helped lead this insurrection," his tweet reads.
Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) also condemned the attack at the U.S. Capitol in a tweet, saying, "I wholeheartedly condemn this violence. This is not who we are, and this need to stop immediately."
Newhouse had previously said he would not object to the Electoral College votes.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) said in a tweet that she and her staff are safe, adding that she condemns "in the strongest terms the hate-fueled violence we are seeing in our nation's Capitol today, as should every leader committed to the peaceful transfer of power in our country."
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) is "safe and sheltering in place," according to a tweet from her account.
"I was one of a dozen Representatives in the gallery above the House floor. We pulled out gas masks and had to get down on the ground. Capitol police barricaded the doors and had guns drawn. We were eventually told that we had to quickly exit," her tweet reads.
Rep. JT Wilcox, a Republican who serves as Washington State House Minority Leader, said in a tweet that "political violence must end or our great country will end."
"We treasure freedom of speech and the best service we can render our country now is to be an example of effective discourse that rejects violence. We can't let toleration of violence be part of our politics. Cast it out," he wrote.
Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward also issued a statement Wednesday evening:
“We watched with great disappointment and heavy hearts the violence and disruption today in the U.S. Capitol Building. Freedom of speech and expression are hallmarks of our country and violence and property destruction have no place in that process. This was a sad day for our country. As members of our community feel compelled to respond to the national conversation or make their voices heard, Spokane expects that it will be done respectfully, peacefully, and appropriately.”
Idaho leaders react to violence
Idaho Sen. Jim Risch tweeted that "this nonsense and violence needs to stop now" in response to the attack at the U.S. Capitol."
Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho called the violence "wholly unacceptable."
"It must be stopped immediately and all perpetrators prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. God bless the Capitol Police, National Guard and other law enforcement on the scene here and at other sites," he tweeted.
Idaho Democratic Party Chairwoman Van Beechler also released a statement in response to the events on Wednesday:
"Because our Republican leaders in Washington have encouraged and refused to stand up to President Trump’s deliberate attack on the Constitution and the legitimacy of our elections, they are responsible for the unrest that is occurring. Congressman Russ Fulcher, Congressman Mike Simpson, Senator Jim Risch and Senator Mike Crapo all share responsibility for today’s events, along with every Republican official who chose to prioritize political power over preserving our democracy.
We hope Idahoans will stay safe and remain peaceful during this time, and that state officials are prepared to keep our legislators safe as we approach the legislative session."
President Trump asks supporters to 'stay peaceful'
President Donald Trump tweeted to his supporters on Wednesday to “stay peaceful."
“Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement,” Trump tweeted after tear gas was deployed in the locked-down Capitol. “They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
In a video shared on Twitter, the president later claimed without evidence that the election was "stolen" from him. Twitter flagged the claim of election fraud as disputed.
Twitter later locked the president's account for 12 hours and threatened a permanent suspension.
