All buildings in the U.S. Capitol complex are shut down due to a pro-Trump mob entering the Capitol building. Thousands of Trump supporters and far right protesters congregated in Washington, D.C. to contest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. The pro-Trump extremists breached the Capitol building, stopped the Electoral College vote count and a peaceful transfer of power.
Several Ohio politicians issued statements condemning the protests and violence in the Capitol building. In a statement on Twitter, State Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) blamed the protests on President Donald Trump, who has refused to concede that he lost the election to Joe Biden.
"The US capitol protest is a failure of leadership," Dolan said.
The US capitol protest is a failure of leadership. Starting with @realdonaltrump too many so called leaders perpetuated lies about the outcome of the November 2020 election. And the people who trust their leadership believes them. Real leaders lead not manipulate. Truth matters.
— Matt Dolan (@ElectMattDolan) January 6, 2021
State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) also spoke out on Twitter.
I cannot believe what I am seeing. This is nothing short of a violent attempt to overthrow our government and end our democracy.
— Rep. Casey Weinstein (@RepWeinstein) January 6, 2021
Chairwoman of the Ohio Republican Party Jane Timken, who has vigorously supported Donald Trump, tweeted against the insurrection.
"As Americans we have the constitutional right to redress our grievances but not with violence," Timken stated. "What’s happening in the Capitol is wrong and not the way forward."
As Americans we have the constitutional right to redress our grievances but not with violence. What’s happening in the Capitol is wrong and not the way forward.
— Jane Murphy Timken (@JaneyMurph) January 6, 2021
Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D- Akron) called Timken's words "shallow," telling Timken she and other Republicans cannot speak out against Trump's tactics now.
No. No. No. No. No. You own this Jane. You and the entire party you lead. Save these shallow words for someone else. This is on you and then rest of the republicans who let this crap happen for years. You wanted the glory. Now you take the blame. https://t.co/rzGd9ksc37
— Emilia Sykes (@EmiliaSykesOH) January 6, 2021
Gov. Mike DeWine also issued a statement and called for Trump to tell the demonstrators to leave the Capitol building.
"As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable," DeWine stated. "This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear. Those who breached the Capitol breached the Constitution. Peaceful demonstrations outside the Capitol are an exercise of the demonstrators’ First Amendment rights. Stopping the constitutional process by which we elect the president is not."
Attorney General Dave Yost released a statement as well calling for the prosecution of the pro-Trump extremists and for Ohioans to remain peaceful.
"Those of us who called for prosecution of the people who stormed the federal courthouse in Portland must apply the same demand to those who stormed the Capitol today," Yost said. "The color of your skin or the slogan upon your banner must not change what is and is not acceptable."
Trump has repeatedly denied the results of the election. The Electoral College votes were being counted today to certify President-elect Joe Biden's win.
