2021 Trump-Incited Insurrection at Capitol Building

[tbm3fan]

I saw this picture and felt the second picture

[DOR]

"When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson. Legit?

Inappropriate in this case.

”When the President incites a mob to thwart the will of the people, he is guilty of a High Crime.”
— Me

[JRT]

‘Insurrection:’ Mitt Romney blames Trump as a mob of his supporters storm the U.S. Capitol

Utah members report they are safe amid melee.

by Lee Davidson
06 January 2021

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was furious after protesters — fired up by President Donald Trump at a rally saying he was robbed in the election — stormed the U.S. Capitol and managed to stop the official count of the Electoral College vote.

“This is what the president has caused today, this insurrection,” with fury in his voice, Romney told New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin after senators arrived at a secure location.
— Jonathan Martin tweeted January 6, 2021

Reporter David Freedlander with Politico tweeted that Romney earlier yelled in the Senate chamber, “This is what you’ve gotten” to Ted Cruz and his colleagues who raised objections to the electoral vote counts.

Later in the day, Romney released a written statement that again blasted Trump and his congressional allies for the violence at the Capitol.

“What happened here today was an insurrection, incited by the President of the United States," Romney said. “Those who choose to continue to support his dangerous gambit by objecting to the results of a legitimate, democratic election will forever be seen as being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy.”

He added, “In light of today’s sad circumstances, I ask my colleagues: Do we weigh our own political fortunes more heavily than we weigh the strength of our Republic, the strength of our democracy, and the cause of freedom? What is the weight of personal acclaim compared to the weight of conscience?”

Romney said, “We must not be intimidated or prevented from fulfilling our constitutional duty. We must continue with the count of electoral college votes…. The truth is that President-elect Biden won this election. President Trump lost. Scores of courts, the President’s own Attorney General, and state election officials both Republican and Democrat have reached this unequivocal decision.”

Protesters managed to gain entrance eventually into the Senate chamber, and even pose in senators’ chairs. Television pictures showed protesters firing tear gas, and carrying weapons. Members of Congress were evacuated by police reportedly to secure locations.

Sen. Mike Lee urged the Senate to continue the electoral count, and not let protesters stop it.

“Congress was elected to govern. We need to get back on the floor and gavel in the Senate as soon as possible,” he tweeted.

Lee added, “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.”

Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, after noting that he and his staff were safe, condemned the violent protesters and called for Trump to do the same.

“The riots both in and outside the building are unacceptable and un-American. The President owes it to the American people to publicly call for an end to these riots,” he said.

“If this were in any other country, we would be condemning these actions and calling for their leaders to stop the violence. Those protesting say they are doing so in the best interest of America—but if that were true, they would end their assault on this sacred institution.”

That came shortly before Trump released a video on Twitter that said to protesters, “This was a fraudulent election, but we can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace, so go home. We love you. You’re very special.”

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, who had joined the challenge to the election, also tweeted, “Watching and hearing what’s going on here continues to make me sick and angry. I’ve spent my life in the military and serving my country in Congress. I understand people’s fears and frustrations over the election. But nothing excuses this behavior. Its selfish and destructive. Stop it now!”

Stewart also praised Capitol Police. “I was locked in a small room with them for a couple of hours surrounded by violence and anger. They were calm and professional every moment. They represent the best our nation has to offer.”

Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, who also was challenging the election results, 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.”

Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, tweeted, “I was evacuated from the House Floor. My team and I are safe. Appreciative of Capitol Police and their service. This saddens and troubles me greatly.”

Utah leaders outside of Congress also condemned the violent protesters.

Former Congressman Ben McAdams said he was absolutely shocked by the scene unfolding in D.C.

“It’s a sad day for our country. One of the things I learned as a schoolchild was the peaceful transition of power. We are all Americans. This is not American democracy,” said McAdams.

“President Trump needs to call to end this, to recognize he lost the election. We need the president to step forward and put the country first,” he added.

Former Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a strong ally of Trump, said “Without any pause, caveat, or equivocation, I condemn the riots taking place at the US Capitol.”

He added in a written statement, “Enough is enough. Our institutions are undergoing a stress test that they can only survive if our elected officials show unity in this critical moment. We are a nation of laws, not individuals — and the foremost responsibility of every member of Congress is to uphold our Constitution and the integrity of the democratic process.”

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, another strong Trump ally, said, “I condemn, in the strongest terms, the acts of violence at our nation’s Capital Building today. ... There is no place for violence in our political discourse, even over the most serious issues and disagreements. We are a nation of laws. This is not how conservatives and Republicans behave. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Reyes has gone so far as to try to sign Utah on to a lawsuit challenging the presidential election results and he took a weekend trip to Nevada to “investigate” claimed election fraud.

Gov. Spencer Cox said in a video, “I am deeply troubled at the chaos, at the devastation, at the cowardly acts of violence that we are seeing in our nation’s capital.... I urge you to stand up and speak out against the violence, against the terrorists, against the evil that we have seen in our nation’s capital today.”

Former Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, who had her run-ins with Trump, tweeted, “The Capitol Police are some of the best individuals I know. They’re friends of mine — men and women who love their beautiful families and country. I’m praying for them and our country today. Violence is not the way.”

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall also tweeted, “What’s happening in the U.S. Capitol right now is disgraceful. I condemn it unequivocally. Every leader should be, in the strongest terms, calling on the White House to do everything in its power to stop this. This is not what democracy looks like; this is a national tragedy.”

The Utah Republican Party also released a statement saying in part, “The Utah Republican Party condemns this intrusion into our electoral process. Our Constitution protects the right to peacefully protest, and to engage in vigorous debates over politics and ideas, but violence or destruction in any form are an affront to who we are as Americans.”

Earlier in the day before the violence, Owens joined a group of 37 House Republicans urging others to join their challenge of electoral votes contending several states broke their own election laws.

“Proud to sign this statement alongside so many of my colleagues. We owe it to the American people to protect the integrity of our electoral system. Period,”
— Rep. Burgess Owens tweeted on January 6, 2021

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Romney told reporters in Washington earlier on Wednesday that Trump has “disgraced the office of the presidency,” as the Utah senator decried the effort by some of his Republican colleagues to object to electoral college votes.

“The gambit that we’re seeing today, very disappointing,” Romney told reporters. “President Trump has disrespected the American voters, has dishonored the election system and has disgraced the office of the presidency, and I’m confident that we’ll proceed as the Constitution demands and tell our supporters the truth, whether or not they want to hear it.”

Burgess and Rep. Chris Stewart had earlier vowed to challenge of electoral votes in key states. Others in Utah’s all-GOP delegation have said directly or through spokespeople that they would not join. Romney and Sen. Mike Lee were expected to speak or make additional statements Wednesday.

The statement signed by Owens on Wednesday said, “We are convinced the election laws in certain states were changed in an unconstitutional manner” from what legislatures had set up for presidential elections “by a variety of other officials, including governors, secretaries of state, election officials, judges, and private parties.”

It added, “That usurpation of the legislatures’ sole authority, delegated by the Constitution, was a primary reason why the election of 2020 became riddled with an unprecedented number of serious allegations of fraud and irregularities.”

However, courts have repeatedly and universally dismissed cases by President Donald Trump and his allies claiming fraud for lack of evidence.

Still the group of 37 wrote that Congress “is the last bulwark in a presidential election to ensure the Constitution has been followed,” so they will challenge and vote against accepting the Electoral College results in several states.

“Taking this action today will not undermine our beleaguered institutions, as some critics charge, but rather reinforce and defend them,” the wrote. “Our support of objections will not diminish the value of the vote of any individual citizen, but rather protect that value, by ensuring the Constitution is followed.”

The group acknowledged their efforts will likely fail. Both houses would need to vote to sustain challenges to remove votes from any state, and the House is controlled by Democrats. Also, a bipartisan majority in the Senate has stated opposition to the challenge.

Despite such odds, Owens used a football analogy in an interview last week to explain why he is still joining the challenge.

“In 10 years in the NFL, I played in a lot of losing games,” he said. “If you leave everything on the field and you’ve done everything you can and there’s nothing left, then it’s a winning game regardless of what the score might be.”

He added, “I plan to leave everything on the field” for Trump by helping to challenge electoral votes in states he believes Trump actually won. Owens added, “There’s no question in my mind that I think he won.”

Also this week, Stewart said he will join the challenge.

“Until we have resolved the issues surrounding voting irregularities, ballot integrity and security, and the implementation of state election laws, I cannot, in good conscience, uphold the oath I took to protect and defend our Constitution by voting to certify the election,” he tweeted.

Others in the Utah delegation have denounced the effort to try to keep Trump in office.

“The egregious ploy to reject electors may enhance the political ambition of some, but dangerously threatens our Democratic Republic,” Romney said in a weekend statement. “The congressional power to reject electors is reserved for the most extreme and unusual circumstances. These are far from it.”
He added, “Were Congress to actually reject state electors, partisans would inevitably demand the same any time their candidate had lost. Congress, not voters in the respective states, would choose our presidents. ... I could never have imagined seeing these things in the greatest democracy in the world. Has ambition so eclipsed principle?”

Curtis also on Tuesday denounced the challenge before it began. “I have faith in America’s election system and those who work tirelessly to ensure our elections are secure,” he wrote. “I plan to respect each state’s decision, certify the election, and continue to work with my colleagues on solutions for Utah.”

Moore said in an interview last week, “I would need to see very, very substantial evidence to challenge the Electoral College. … I have not seen that to the degree that would change the outcome of the election. So that’s where I am currently on that.”

Sen. Lee, R-Utah, has said through a spokesperson that he does not plan to join the challenge, which brought Trump’s displeasure and pressure at a political rally in Georgia this week.

“Mike Lee is here, but I’m a little angry at him,” Trump said, as supporters cheered.

.

...

[Oracle]

These people would be shot, even if they tried breaching the perimeter of the Indian parliament building. What a mess.

Trump should be made an example of, so that no one from their family, in future, even dares to contest any elections. I hope tax authorities are doing their job.

[DOR]

Pence and McConnell reached down deep, and discovered their balls.
About .... time.

[tbm3fan]

Pence and McConnell reached down deep, and discovered their balls.
About .... time.

because it is getting past time to jump off the Titanic...

[DOR]

I’m running out of popcorn watching collaborators conduct the greatest about face since WWII.
All it takes is threatening their physical security, their own asses.
Obviously a stand on principles ... NOT

[tbm3fan]

Wasn't Loeffler just so principled and amazing as she got up there and said she would no longer object?

Hawley is still an idiot. He clearly does not like mail in ballots.

[statquo]

Ed O'Keefe

@edokeefe
JUST IN: “This is not news we deliver lightly,”
@margbrennan
says as she reports: Trump Cabinet secretaries are discussing invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump. Nothing formal yet presented to VP Pence. “I’m talking about actual members of the Cabinet,” she says

[Firestorm]

Ed O'Keefe

@edokeefe
JUST IN: “This is not news we deliver lightly,”
@margbrennan
says as she reports: Trump Cabinet secretaries are discussing invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump. Nothing formal yet presented to VP Pence. “I’m talking about actual members of the Cabinet,” she says

Pence won't go along with that. He looks like he just wants this whole thing to be over so he can go home to Indiana.

[Firestorm]

Woman killed in Capitol riot shooting identified as US Air Force veteran, reports say

The woman who was shot and killed during the pro-Trump storming of the US Capitol has been identified, according to local news reports.

Ashli Babbit of San Diego, a 14-year veteran of the US Air Force, was struck by a bullet after she entered the legislative complex with rioters.

Fox 5 reports that Ms Babbit’s mother-in-law identified her on Wednesday evening and KUSI spoke with her husband.

Ms Babbit’s husband did not travel to Washington, DC with her.

....

Her husband says that she was a patriot and strong supporter of Donald Trump.

On Tuesday morning she tweeted: “Nothing will stop us….they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours….dark to light!”

Conspiracy theories can have real consequences. Her blood is on the hands of Trump, Giuliani, Powell, Ellis and all the other lunatics who spread the voter fraud conspiracy theories night and day.

[Oracle]

Woman killed in Capitol riot shooting identified as US Air Force veteran, reports say



Conspiracy theories can have real consequences. Her blood is on the hands of Trump, Giuliani, Powell, Ellis and all the other lunatics who spread the voter fraud conspiracy theories night and day.

In a way you're correct. But if I follow the devil, I'm bound for hell. Common people should use their own brains. FB, Twitter - these are American companies profiteering off conspiracy theories. Their taps need to be filtered or turned off.

[Oracle]

WT....Indian nutcase amongst Trump supporters.

[popillol]

WT....Indian nutcase amongst Trump supporters.

Oh, look a French flag too!
Why did the courts not hear them out even when 13 states filed a lawsuit? You don't give legal space and then want people to simply roll over? Atleast the courts should have heard it. Why was it not important enough for the Honourable Judges? Were they busy doing disco party? lol

[Bigfella]

WT....Indian nutcase amongst Trump supporters.

Why so shocked? Its no great leap from supporting Modi to supporting Trump, and there are enough first & second generation Indians in the US to get a few dedicated Trump supporters.

Back when DE was on his quest to completely humiliate himself on the topic of US politics he claimed California was going to turn 'purple' off the back of some bizarre claims from a guy who ran a pro-Modi group in the US. I wouldn't be surprised if that guy was on the 'stop the steal' train.