Officials condemn destructive riot in Washington
U.S. House of Representative Eighth District Congressman David Kustoff happened to be in the Capitol’s House Chambers on Jan. 6 when President Donald Trump’s loyal supporters., he said during a phone conversation from his Germantown home on Friday. Carroll County is a part of the eighth district that Kustoff serves.
At the time House members were debating the Arizona Electoral College votes in order to certify the win for Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential election when there was a commotion outside the chambers.
The angry protestors broke through and entered the Capitol, according to
“I didn’t know what was going on,” he said.”The House members were led from the House to a hideaway where we were evacuated.”
It was about 8 p.m. before the House members were let back in the Chamber to begin the debate again. Kustoff voted to certify the Arizona delegates while voting against the certification of the Pennsylvania vote.It was about 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kustoff walked off to retire for the day.
Although, he didn’t blame President Trump for the violence that erupted, he did say a number of people were at fault and not just one person.
He praised the Capitol police for keeping congressmen and senators safe during the ordeal.
“To see what happened on Wednesday makes me angry,” he said. “It was an attack on democracy.”
He added the U.S. is a nation of laws, not a nation of violence.
“The destruction and chaos at our nation’s Capitol is un-American and those responsible will be brought to justice,” said Kustoff. “Going forward, we must come together and ultimately, we will grow stronger as a nation.”
He said he appreciated everyone who reached out to he and his family.
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Other officials had these things to say about Wednday’s riot:
Jimmie Sue Statement - Chairman of C.C. Democratic Party
“The attacks on our nation’s Capitol brought hurt and disappointment to my Spirit, actually to the very core of my being and has brought lots of tears to my yes. My sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones.
Going forward, I hope the perpetrators are punished to the fullest extent of the law.
On Jan. 20, we will return to true democracy with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris. God bless the new administration and God bless the United States of America.”
Donald Parish, Democrat, 24th Judicial Circuit Court Judge
“I still remember how I felt when I first stood on the Capitol steps in the winter of 1975. At age 17, I had arrived to become a Page in the House of Representatives. The sense of awe and respect for the institutions and norms which have their foundations there has never wavered for me. To see those institutions and norms violently assaulted has been gut wrenching. I call on people of good will to reject political extremism that, left unchecked, risks the fracture of our democracy.”
Curtis Halford, Republican, State House District 79
“I really don’t know what to say about the events that took place Wednesday in Washington. I think it was a despicable act. In fact, it almost made me sick. I was aghast. Having been in that awesome, historical building, it made my heart hurt to see in real time what was happening.
While I certainly believe that our right to assemble peacefully should be protected, I do believe that there were those who went there for the specific reason and with plans to create disruption and chaos. As for your question of who should be blamed for the horrible destruction and vandalism that took place, including the loss of human life. I think there is plenty of blame to go around. Those who were there to assemble and protest peacefully had every right to there and should have been there. As for those who were there to create havoc and disruption they should bare the weight and punishment for their despicable actions.”
State Republican Chairman Scott Golden
Carroll County Republican Party
Chairman and Secretary Cyril & Jan Ostiguy
“It’s an extremely emotional day for all of us that poured our hearts into President Trump’s campaign. We have the right to be heard, but not to the point of violence and destruction. The Republican Party is the party that supports law enforcement, rights, and the rule of law, and not defunding the police. Today’s perpetrators will be brought to justice and the truth will come to light. For now, let’s act responsibly, pray for our country and our leaders, and get ready to Make America Great Again.”
Sen. John Stevens, Republican, 24th Senatorial District
Mobs and violence are not protests and never an acceptable form of political speech or activity.
Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty
Tennessee’s two U.S. Senators, both Republicans
“Yesterday was a shocking day of lawlessness. We watched in horror as rioters breached the security of both Houses of Congres and inflicted significant property damage upon those historical halls.
Our Republic will rise above the chaos that ensued yesterday in the Capitol. (Wednesday. These violent assaults on our democratic processes threaten to unwind the fabric of this country. As Americans, we must unite in our commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.
We are grateful for the heroic law enforcement officials who helped restore peace, allowing us to complete our work. Last night we reconvened with our Senate colleagues to fulfill our constitutional duty to certify the 2020 election results and prepare for a peaceful transition of power. On Jan. 20th, we will prove to the world that America is still the shining cyan the hill.”
