Raleigh, NC A Raleigh woman shares the moment when she, and hundreds of other North Carolina, saw witnesses to rioters trespassing on the US Capitol building earlier this week.
Wake County Republican Party Chairman Donna Williams claims that President Donald Trump’s supporters were not responsible for the attack.
She talks about her experience in a letter sent to other members of the party. She said she and hundreds of other Wake County Republicans went to DC to show support for the president and thanked him for his service.
“It had to end the way it was … it was heartbreaking,” Williams described.
She traveled with hundreds of other Republicans to attend Trump’s March to Save America rally.
“It was such a prayerful and patriotic time. It was a lot of different speakers,” Williams said.
Then the event became violent when rioters violated the Capitol, which locked the building.
In her letter, Williams writes: “I do not believe that patriotic Republicans started the riots. I have personally observed what appears to be professional rioters inciting violence from the crowd.”
“I do not know 100% because I do not know every person who was there,” she said on Saturday.
There was still no evidence that anyone had been paid to participate.
Deb Newton, a lawyer and Republican, blames President Trump for requesting some of his protesters to march to the Capitol site in protest against the election college score.
“It was a clear incitement of sedition. It was shocking,” she said.
Newton said Williams’ writing could not address who should be held accountable for the offense.
“Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian or a non-party affiliated … every American needs to recount that activity,” she added.
In the letter to members, Williams said to heal, it is important to divert attention from what is happening nationally and focus on Wake County.
