Utah Delegation Condemns Chaos At US Capitol
Jan 6, 2021, 6:05 PM | Updated: 8:04 pm
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Several members of Utah’s congressional delegation tweeted that they were safe and condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon after demonstrators overturned security barricades and entered the U.S. Capitol.
Sen. Mike Lee tweeted, “The violence at the United States Capitol is completely unacceptable. It is time for the protesters to disperse. My staff and I are safe. We are working to finish our constitutional duty to finish counting votes today. God bless the Capitol Police keeping us all safe.”
The violence at the United States Capitol is completely unacceptable. It is time for the protesters to disperse.
My staff and I are safe. We are working to finish our constitutional duty to finish counting votes today.
God bless the Capitol Police keeping us all safe.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) January 6, 2021
He said it did not matter where Congress met but the work needs to continue. “Whether we get back in the chamber or convene in a different location, the Senate should continue the work of the American people immediately. This outrage cannot be allowed to disrupt that work for a minute longer.”
Utah Sens. Lee and Mitt Romney were locked down with other Senators as a group after pro-trump demonstrators breached security.
Romney spokeswoman Liz Johnson told the Deseret News, “They have since evacuated to a safe location in the complex.”
JUST IN – @SenatorRomney: "What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States." #KSLTV pic.twitter.com/QClDdCa6XY
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) January 6, 2021
Romney has been critical of President Donald Trump for saying the election was stolen from him and the results were a fraud.
As the Capitol was evacuated, Romney yelled “This is what you’ve gotten,” according to several Twitter posts.
Video has also surfaced on Twitter that showed a woman harassing Romney as sat by himself at the Salt Lake City airport.
.@SenMikeLee responded today after videos began circulating of people confronting @SenatorRomney at the airport and on a plane, with a group of passengers chanting "Traitor" during a flight: "Let’s all treat each other with respect and decency." https://t.co/maixBq7Oql #KSLTV
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) January 6, 2021
Rep. John Curtis, who objected to the electoral vote from several states, tweeted, “My staff and I are safe – thank you to @CapitolPolice for working tirelessly. It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the capitol. This is not who we are, we’re better than this. My plea is that we use all our influence to tone this down & return to reasonable debate.”
My staff and I are safe— thank you to @CapitolPolice for working tirelessly.
It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening here at the Capitol. This is not who we are, we’re better than this. My plea is that we use all our influence to tone this down & return to reasonable debate. pic.twitter.com/I2X3e7nGt0
— Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) January 6, 2021
Newly elected Republican Rep. Burgess Owns also said he objected to some electoral votes. He tweeted, “My team and I are safe and beyond grateful for the service of Capitol Police. I am deeply saddened by what is happening right now. Americans are better than this. Senseless violence is NEVER okay. We have to do better.”
My team and I are safe and beyond grateful for the service of Capitol Police.
I am deeply saddened by what is happening right now. Americans are better than this. Senseless violence is NEVER okay. We have to do better.— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) January 6, 2021
Former Sen. Orrin Hatch released a statement that said, “Without any pause, caveat, or equivocation, I condemn the riots taking place at the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol symbolizes the beating heart of American democracy. It’s where we convene in the spirit of civility and compromise to hash out our greatest differences and move legislation forward. The lawless incursion on our Capitol is both a physical and spiritual attack on an institution I love — an institution I spent more than four decades protecting.”
