Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol on Wednesday afternoon as members of Congress were meeting to certify the 2020 election results. Legislators were rushed to undisclosed locations for their protection while it took police several hours to secure and clear the Capitol.
Related: An insurrection took place in D.C.
While Virginia Representatives Cline, Griffith, Good, and Wittman have supported efforts to try and overturn the election results, they all joined the rest of the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation and condemned the actions that took place at the nation’s Capitol on Wednesday.
You can view the responses from Virginia’s elected leaders below:
Governor Ralph Northam (D)
“I have been working all afternoon and this evening with leaders in Washington D.C., the Virginia National Guard, Virginia State Police, and others in the federal government.
“The violence we saw at the U.S. Capitol today was nothing short of an armed insurrection and a humiliating assault on American democracy. The President incited this mob with his refusal to accept the lawful results of a fair and secure election. And the members of Congress who have enabled him—and continue to encourage and praise his efforts—bear just as much responsibility.
“This did not come about overnight. When elected leaders purposefully reject facts and fan the flames of conspiracy theories, all in pursuit of power, they are taking dangerous steps. And now we are seeing where those steps can lead. God forbid we experience anything worse.
“I continue to pray for the safety of every member of the House and Senate, all the staff, the journalists, everyone who works in the Capitol. And I commend the Virginia National Guard and Virginia State Police for quickly stepping up in this time of great need.”
“Let me be clear: Virginia will be there for as long as it takes to protect our nation’s capital and ensure the peaceful transition of power.”
Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn (D)
“It is a sad day for our nation and our Democracy. The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is an affront to everything we believe in and unrepresentative of our character as a nation. It is the constitutional and moral responsibility of our elected leaders at every level to denounce these violent, undemocratic actions. I am holding in my thoughts those first responders doing their best to restore peace and order, and all the elected officials and staff threatened by this lawless mob. Though they will try to destroy what we have built in this nation for more than 240 years, they will not succeed.”
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert
“When tens of thousands of Second Amendment supporters marched to the Virginia Capitol to peacefully seek redress of grievances, we stood proudly with them. The right to protest is fundamental to our nation. It is a God-given right.
“But what has occurred at the U.S. Capitol today is inexcusable. It is not a protest. It is a riot masquerading as a protest. We are a nation of laws. When we have differences, including over the conduct and method of elections, we settle them according to law. Courts, legislatures, and votes determine the shape of our nation, not mobs who cause destruction and attack law enforcement.
“Those in the Capitol building should leave immediately. Those who refuse should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, just as we insisted for rioters who looted and burned our cities over the summer. The time for an end to this madness has long since passed.
“Virginians are the inheritors of more than 400 years of democracy. Our forefathers were only able to give us this system of self government by respecting its institutions and recognizing that we are a Commonwealth of laws. We cannot, and will not, surrender this gift to the whims of any angry mob.”
Senate Republican Leader Tommy Norment
“The violence and lawlessness in our nation’s Capitol today is an absolute disgrace to democracy and should be universally condemned by every American, including our President.”
Senate Democratic Leader Dick Saslaw
Today’s events at the U.S. Capitol are a disgrace and make our nation look like a banana republic. Mob rule will not stop Congress from doing the work of the people and certifying the democratically-elected Joe Biden as our next President.
United States Senator Tim Kaine (D)
“Tonight I spoke on the Senate floor about exactly what objecting to these electoral results means for our country: After John Lewis was savagely beaten on Bloody Sunday, the US Senate came together to pass the Voting Rights Act. We should be coming together today—after more violence—to affirm the votes cast in November. Instead we’re contemplating an unprecedented act of disenfranchisement. If we object to these electoral results, we’re saying to states: No matter how safe and secure your elections are, we’ll gladly overturn them if we don’t like the results.But more importantly—as the body that acted together to guarantee Americans the right to vote—if we object, we will become the agent of one of the most massive disenfranchisements in the history of this country. The United States Senate cannot and must not allow that to happen.”
United States Senator Mark Warner (D)
“This attack will not stop Congress from continuing the business of certifying the electoral college votes, come hell or high water.”
I’m committed to finishing the job we started today; that’s why I’m on the Senate floor upholding our democracy and respecting the will of the people. pic.twitter.com/QNBFxmWDrT
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) January 7, 2021
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07)
“I’ve been getting a lot of outreach. I am safe. I was in the House Chamber as violent, far right protestors tried to break down the doors. Thank you to the Capitol Police for keeping us safe and evacuating staff, reporters, and members of Congress to safety.”
Spanberger later commented more:
“From FBI.gov-Terrorism is defined in the Code of Fed. Regulations as ‘the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.’ Intimidation and violence — even when urged by the President of the United States — cannot destroy our Constitution nor stop the will of the people. Make no mistake — the extremists we saw today are domestic terrorists. They are using violence to thwart our democracy and the will of the people. As Members of Congress, we will keep fulfilling our oaths. We will restore order, decency, and a shared sense of purpose to our beloved country.”
Congressman Donald McEachin (D-VA04)
“Either President Trump needs to be immediately impeached & convicted or the Vice President & the Cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment, remove President Trump from office & allow the Vice President to serve the remaining two weeks until Inauguration Day. Today’s violent riot at the U.S. Capitol was a mob of sedition and insurrection, prompted, encouraged and incited by President Trump. He has clearly demonstrated that he either cannot or will not lead this country or govern this great nation.”
Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA06)
“While people have a right to peaceably protest, those who breached the Capitol and assaulted Capitol Police officers should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Violence is never the answer, and I condemn their actions in the strongest possible terms.”
Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-VA02)
“Just had to evacuate my office because of a bomb reported outside, while the President’s anarchists are trying to force their way into the Capitol. I heard what sounds like multiple gunshots. The President has tried to burn down our country, but he won’t succeed. Those members of Congress who have supported this anarchy do not deserve to represent their fellow Americans”
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10)
“On this terrible day, I’m thinking of the Capitol staff, reporters, law enforcement, and others here on the Hill who call #VA10 home. Many feared for their lives as their families worried for their safety. Today, as always, I am grateful for their service to our nation.”
Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA11)
“Today’s assault on the Capitol — the cradle of our democracy and a symbol of freedom worldwide — was an act of domestic terrorism. But Congress will do its job. We will certify Joe Biden as our next president. Donald Trump will just have to live with it.”
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA09)
“The Capitol is the place where Americans debate issues peacefully and according to our rules and Constitution. It should not be subject to break-ins and violence. Its occupiers must leave and face justice, and the business of the people must continue.”
Congressman Rob Whitman (R-VA01)
“Protests are a right, but must remain peaceful. I am deeply concerned and call for the immediate end of the unrest, rioting, and vandalism taking place at the Capitol. Please go home and allow us to finish the work of the people through the great American tradition of peaceful disagreement – not anarchy and violence. Today, Congress began the solemn work to certify the Presidential election; and that debate should continue within the established bounds envisioned by our Founders and previously practiced by this legislative body. Thoughtful deliberation is at the heart of our Republic and ensuring the peaceful transition of power is at the very bulwark of our democracy. I want Congress [to continue] that tradition and upholding that duty.”
Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA03)
“Today’s attempted violent coup at the Capitol marks one of the darkest days in our history. I am reminded of President Washington’s warning of ‘cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men…enabled to subvert the power of the people and usurp for themselves the reins of government.’ Last November, the people of our country spoke loudly and clearly and elected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to serve as our next President and Vice President, respectively. Those results were certified by Democratic and Republican election officials all across the country. Now tonight, the Congress of the United States will count the certified votes of the Electoral College pursuant to the Constitution. We will not be intimidated from doing our constitutional duty and affirming the will of the People.”
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA08)
“Donald Trump is a danger to our democracy. I continue to support his impeachment and removal from office, and am looking carefully at new articles of impeachment being drafted and offered by my colleagues. Impeachment, however, would require the cooperation of Senate Republicans who have always protected Trump in the past. The 25th Amendment can only be invoked by the Vice President with the concurrence of the Cabinet.Congress must ensure Trump’s removal from office by the swiftest and surest method available: confirmation of the American people’s will as expressed in the 2020 election. I look forward to completing the certification of that election as soon as possible. I demand that my colleagues immediately drop their cynical, destructive, and antidemocratic efforts to overturn the election results which incited today’s attempts at violent insurrection. Democracy must and shall prevail.”
Congressman Bob Good (R-VA05)
Every American has a precious constitutional right to protest. Violence is never the answer. I am calling on everyone, especially Virginians and #VA05 to please protest peacefully. We are thankful for Capitol Police who are courageously doing their jobs to keep everyone safe.
Every American has a precious constitutional right to protest. Violence is never the answer. I am calling on everyone, especially Virginians and #VA05 to please protest peacefully. We are thankful for Capitol Police who are courageously doing their jobs to keep everyone safe.
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