Local lawmakers objecting to Electoral College certification denying violence in Washington

Local lawmakers objecting to Electoral College certification denying violence in Washington

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Local lawmakers protesting the Electoral College certification process have blamed violent protesters in the Capitol on Wednesday for protesting against President-elect Joe Biden.

U.S. Representative John Rutherford, the former Jacksonville sheriff, has spoken out strongly against the actions of protesters who support President Donald Trump. He called their actions a disgrace.

“The lawlessness that is taking place here in the capital of our country is unacceptable and un-American,” Rutherford tweeted. “You can not say that you stand for law and order and then act like that. Pray for our law enforcers as they secure the area and keep us safe. ”

Rutherford told News4Jax he thinks Trump should act and ask the protesters to evacuate peacefully, something Trump eventually did in a video later removed by Facebook and Twitter.

“I saw the video,” Rutherford later told News4Jax. ‘I think he could have been a lot more guideline in his comments. Less about the election, itself, and more about the safety of the people in our Capitol. ”

MORE: Trump supporters storm US capital, lawmakers evacuate

In a tweet last week, Rutherford said that ‘objections to state voters are not undemocratic; it is part of a specific process of control and balance set out in federal law and our constitution. If leaders of the state violate their own election laws, it is deceptive. Congress should not allow this. ”

“This is not being done in support of the president, this is being done in support of the Constitution,” Rutherford said Wednesday about the protests.

Rutherford said he still intends to object to specific states and that the chaos within the Capitol has not affected his intent.

US Senator Marco Rubio, from Florida, also called on Trump to restore order.

“Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men and women of law enforcement are assaulted. It is crucial that you help restore order by sending resources to help the police and asking those who do to stand up. There is nothing patriotic about what is happening on Capitol Hill. This is an anti-American anarchy in the third world style, ‘Rubio tweeted.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott, of Florida, reflects sentiment, just like any other local legislature.

“Violence has no place in our politics. It must stop now! U.S. Representative Kat Cammack tweeted.

Cammack, who won Florida’s 3rd Congressional District in 2020, stretching from Clay and Putnam provinces, tweeted as protesters stormed the hill.

‘On the house floor there are reports that buildings are being locked and evacuated. No matter what, peace must prevail. “While we are fighting for our Constitutional Republic on the House floor, I ask everyone to please remain peaceful and respect the Capitol police,” she tweeted. ‘We were locked in the living room. They suspended the debate. We have just been informed that the Capitol has been violated. They ask us to put on masks for tear gas. ”

Cammack later said she and her staff were safe and away from the Capitol.

“Please pray for our law enforcement and for peace,” Cammack tweeted.

Cammack made it clear last week that she intends to object to the certification process of the Electoral College, despite the fact that the US Department of Justice has not discovered any evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election .

“Today is a sad day for our democracy. “This is an embarrassment and a direct result of President Trump’s inability to accept his loss,” U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, representing Florida’s Fifth Congress District, said in a statement. “This mob has been incited by the president and his four years of shameful rhetoric.”

Other leaders also shared their views on the violence in Washington, DC.

‘There is a clear difference between peaceful protests and the attack on the rule of law. No city has to endure what we see unfolding today. This is a blatant attack on democracy and should not be tolerated. I pray for our wonderful country, ”Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told News4Jax in a statement.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued the following statement: ‘Violence or rioting of any kind is unacceptable and offenders must face the full weight of the law. The Capitol Police are doing an amazing job and I thank them for their hard work. ”

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp spoke out on social media, saying:

Outgoing Senator Kelly Loeffler, Georgia, also issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon condemning the protesters. Senator Loeffler also reversed her decision to object to the election of President Joe Biden.

Senator Loeffler was defeated on January 5 in one of the two historic races of the Senate.

Senator David Perdue was also defeated. He did not release a statement on the events on Capitol Hill.

While pro-Trump protests raged in Washington, about 50 protesters also took them to the state Capitol site in Tallahassee. Members of the controversial group, The Proud Boys, were present.

Protesters held signs in support of President Trump and read “Stop the theft.”

Legislators were not in Tallahassee but will return next week for their first round of committee meetings for the 2021 session.

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