There can be no justification, no excuse, and no rationalization for the actions we saw today in our nation’s capital. The incitement of these extremists must end—immediately—and the enablers of this violence, including President Donald Trump, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), should no longer serve in their offices and should take the responsible action by resigning.
Just hours before violent insurrectionists forced their way into the Capitol, the president and his allies encouraged and rallied with extremists on the National Mall. There is no mistaking who bears responsibility for the disgraceful violence that took place: President Trump and his enablers both inside and outside of Congress.
No act of violence, from these seditionists or anyone else, can change the election results. The American people have selected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be our next president and vice president, the Electoral College has voted, and Congress will oversee the certification of the Electoral College votes.
Hoping to curry favor with right-wing extremists, some publicity-hungry politicians have furthered lies and misinformation, purposely inciting anger and frustration in supporters of the president. Today, we saw the impact of those lies. Windows of the Capitol were smashed, congressional offices invaded, domestic insurrectionists roamed our most sacred halls of power, and at least one person was shot and killed in the melee.
These were shocking, shameful, and disgusting images seen across the United States and around the world, and those responsible should help the country move forward by resigning.