Democrats condemn ‘lawlessness’ amid Capitol chaos

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday condemned “lawlessness” as chaos erupted in and around the Capitol as Congress attempted to meet to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory.

The Capitol Building was placed on lockdown and multiple congressional buildings were evacuated amid protests that grew violent over the course of the day. The Library of Congress’s Madison Building and the Cannon House Office Building were both evacuated. 

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) blamed the chaos on President Trump, saying he was responsible for the “unprecedented lawlessness” taking place.

“Office buildings in the Capitol complex have been evacuated,” Pingree tweeted. “This unprecedented lawlessness was incited by our outgoing President because he is determined to undermine the peaceful transfer of power.”

Office buildings in the Capitol complex have been evacuated. This unprecedented lawlessness was incited by our outgoing President because he is determined to undermine the peaceful transfer of power. https://t.co/S1cltH5oUP

— Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (@chelliepingree) January 6, 2021

The protesters’ surge to the Capitol came as both chambers were debating an objection to Arizona’s Electoral votes.

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), who was in the Cannon House building at the time, said on Twitter: “I’m in Cannon and have been evacuated. But it doesn’t matter. In less than two hours I will cast my vote rejecting the coup attempt by @realDonaldTrump enablers and accepting the Electoral College votes of Arizona. And there is nothing @POTUS or @GOP traitors can do about it.”

I’m in Cannon and have been evacuated. But it doesn’t matter. In less than two hours I will cast my vote rejecting the coup attempt by @realDonaldTrump enablers and accepting the Electoral College votes of Arizona. And there is nothing @POTUS or @GOP traitors can do about it. https://t.co/zfQemZwm9q

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 6, 2021

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), said she “can’t believe I have to write this.”

“I’m sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I can’t believe I have to write this.”

I’m sheltering in place in my office. The building next door has been evacuated. I can’t believe I have to write this.

— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) January 6, 2021

The vote certification was later paused after protesters made their way inside the Capitol building and roamed the halls in front of the Senate chamber.

The fiasco comes as Trump refuses to concede defeat to Biden. The president addressed the protesters earlier in the day.

After the Capitol was secured, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) tweeted that she was “okay” and “[w]as barricaded in for several hours.” She added,” I’ll tell y’all about it later.”

“For now, we must focus on task at hand: to preserve the integrity of our democracy, hold accountable those responsible for their attempts to subvert our nation’s elections and shred our Constitution apart.”

Updated: 7:25 p.m.