Former President George W. Bush has condemned the “uprising” in Washington DC on Wednesday, blaming “some political leaders” after protesters broke into the US Capitol building, demanding that members of Congress and others evacuate or shelter.
“I am shocked by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions and our law enforcement,” Bush said in a statement. “The violent assault on the Capitol – and the disruption of a constitutional assembly of Congress – was undertaken by people whose passions were fueled by lies and false hope.”
LEGISLATORS, HELPERS AND OTHERS WHO DESCRIBE CHAOS IN THE CAPITAL; AT LEAST 1 DEATH
President Trump delivered a speech to supporters in the country’s capital earlier in the day, doubling the unproven allegations that the 2020 presidential election was directed against him.
Former US President George W. Bush speaks at the funeral service of the late Civil Rights leader John Lewis in the State Capital of Georgia on July 30, 2020. (Photo by ALYSSA POINTER / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Later in the afternoon, police in the Capitol struggled for hours with protesters after a mob broke into the presidential election. Joe Biden’s expected election college to protest Wednesday. A joint session of Congress had to be postponed and postponed in advance while members were evacuated to unknown places with gas masks. Images show authorities blocking doors to protect aides, journalists and others inside, while an angry crowd clashed with police in the halls.
According to police, at least one person was killed in a gunshot wound.
U.S. Capitol police, armed with rifles, stand near a blocked door as protesters try to break into the U.S. Capitol room in Washington on January 6. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
(AP)
At least one protester made the scene at the head of the Senate floor. Another one sat for a photo behind the desk of the house, Nancy Pelosi. Senators described in shocked tone how Vice President Mike Pence was rushed to safety when the perimeter was first violated.
“Rebellion could seriously damage our nation and reputation,” Bush continued. “In the United States, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law.”
GOP POLITICS CONDEMN VIOLENCE ON CAPITOL, CALLS END OF RIOT
He concluded with a message to Americans who were still upset about the 2020 election results.
“Our country is more important than the politics of the moment,” he said. “Let the officials elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voice in peace and security. May God continue to bless the United States of America.”
President Trump has repeatedly urged protesters to remain peaceful and leave the Capitol, but he also doubles down on unproven rhetoric about how the 2020 election was “stolen” and eventually suspended from Twitter.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Pence, who was at the forefront of the National Guard’s response to restore order rather than President Trump, condemned the chaos and promised that robbers would face criminal prosecution.
At 19:30, reports emerged that members of Congress were returning to the Capitol and returning to the ratification debate. A Pence spokesman confirmed that the vice president had also returned to reconvene the joint sitting.