Local lawmakers who opposed electoral college certification speak out against violence in Washington

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JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Local lawmakers who opposed the Electoral College certification process denounced the violent protesters who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday to protest President-elect Joe Biden.

U.S. Representative John Rutherford, the former Sheriff of Jacksonville, strongly opposed the actions of protesters supporting President Donald Trump. He called their actions shame.

“The anarchy unfolding here in our nation’s capital is unacceptable and anti-American,” Rutherford tweeted. “You can’t say that you stand up for law and order and act that way. Pray for our law enforcement as they secure the area and keep us safe. “

Rutherford told News4Jax he believed Trump should step in and ask the protesters to evacuate peacefully, which Trump ultimately did in a video that was later deleted by Facebook and Twitter.

“I saw this video,” Rutherford later told News4Jax. “I think he could have been a lot more directive in his comments. Less on the election, itself, and more on the safety of people in our Capitol.

MORE: Trump supporters storm U.S. Capitol, lawmakers evacuated

In a tweet last week, Rutherford said that “opposing state voters is not undemocratic; it is part of a specific process of checks and balances described in federal law and our constitution. If the leaders of the state executive violated their own electoral laws, it is fraudulent. Congress should not allow it.

“It was not done to support the President, it was done to support the Constitution,” Rutherford said of the protests on Wednesday.

Rutherford said he still intends to oppose specific states and the chaos inside the Capitol has not affected his intent.

US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida also called on Trump to help restore order.

“Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men and women of the police are attacked. It is essential that you help restore order by sending in resources to help the police and asking those doing this to step back. There is nothing patriotic about what is happening on Capitol Hill. It’s a 3rd world style anti-American anarchy, ”Rubio tweeted.

US Senator Rick Scott of Florida echoed these sentiments, just like another local legislator.

“Violence has no place in our politics. It must stop now! US Representative Kat Cammack tweeted.

Cammack, who won Florida’s 3rd Congressional District which spans Clay and Putnam counties in 2020, tweeted as protesters stormed the hill.

“Upstairs in the house, receive reports on closed and evacuated buildings. Either way, peace must prevail. As we fight for our Constitutional Republic in the House, I ask everyone to stay peaceful and respect the Capitol Police who are doing their job, ”she tweeted. “We are locked in the room of the Chamber. They suspended the debate. We have just been informed that the Capitol has been violated. They ask us to put on tear gas masks.

Cammack later said she and her staff were safe and away from the Capitol.

“Please pray for our law enforcement and for peace,” Cammack tweeted.

Cammack made it clear last week that she plans to oppose the electoral college certification process despite the US Department of Justice finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the election result of 2020.

The anarchy unfolding here in our nation’s capital is unacceptable and anti-American.

You can’t say that you stand up for law and order and act that way.

Pray for our law enforcement as they secure the area and keep us safe.

– Representative John Rutherford (@RepRutherfordFL) January 6, 2021

“Today is a sad day for our democracy. It is an embarrassment and a direct consequence of President Trump’s inability to come to terms with his loss, ”said US Representative Al Lawson, who represents Florida’s 5th Congressional District, in a statement. “This crowd was incited by the president and his four years of shameful rhetoric.

Part of the problem is my fellow Republicans who have sat down and watched the President bring about this anarchy. They have been accomplices and should be ashamed of themselves.

– Rep. American Al Lawson Jr (@RepAlLawsonJr) January 6, 2021

Other leaders also shared their thoughts on the violence in Washington, DC.

“There is a clear difference between peaceful protests and an attack on the rule of law. No city should have to endure what we watch unfold today. It is a blatant attack on democracy and should not be tolerated. I pray for our great country, ”Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said in a statement to News4Jax.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued the following statement: “Violence or riots of any kind are unacceptable and perpetrators must face the full weight of the law. The Capitol Police do an admirable job and I thank them for their hard work.

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp spoke on social media, saying:

It is unimaginable that we have people in our state and our country undermining public safety, attacking law enforcement and breaking into government buildings. This is not the way GA and it is not the way of our country. These activities are a disgrace and quite frankly un-American. pic.twitter.com/c4Id6wci8S

– Brian Kemp (@BrianKempGA) January 6, 2021

Outgoing Georgian Senator Kelly Loeffler also issued a statement condemning the actions of the protesters on Wednesday afternoon. Senator Loeffler also overturned his decision to oppose certification of President-elect Joe Biden.

Senator Loeffler was beaten in one of the Senate’s two historic second-round races on January 5.

Senator David Perdue was also beaten. He has not released a statement regarding the events on Capitol Hill.

As pro-Trump protests raged in Washington, around 50 protesters also took to the grounds of the State Capitol in Tallahassee. Members of the controversial group, The Proud Boys, were in attendance.

Protesters held up signs supporting President Trump and reading “Stop the Steal”.

Lawmakers were not present in Tallahassee but will return for their first round of committee meetings for the 2021 session next week.

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