Local leaders respond as protesters swarm US Capitol: ‘This is an embarrassment’

CINCINNATI (FOX19) - Leaders in the Tri-State are posting about the protesters that breached the Capitol on Wednesday forcing a delay in the constitutional process to affirm Joe Biden’s victory in the November election.

>> Congress to resume electoral vote count after Trump supporters storm US Capitol; 1 dead

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the acts “an embarrassment” in a statement released Wednesday afternoon:

“This is an embarrassment to our country. This must stop immediately. The President should call for the demonstrators to leave our Capitol Building. The final step in the constitutional process of electing our president has been disrupted. The stopping of the count of the Electoral College votes has occurred because the security of the U.S. Capitol has been breached by a violent mob.

“As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable. This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear. Those who breached the Capitol breached the Constitution. Peaceful demonstrations outside the Capitol are an exercise of the demonstrators’ First Amendment rights. Stopping the constitutional process by which we elect the president is not.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the State of the Commonwealth and Budget address planned for Wednesday has been postponed until Thursday at 7 p.m.

Beshear called the crowd assembled in DC “domestic terrorists” in a video message.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb shared similar thoughts in his statement:

“It’s both saddening and sickening to watch a mob devolve into thinking their rules would ever replace the rule of law. I unequivocally condemn the violence at the U.S. Capitol that we are now witnessing. Passion, patriotism and love for our nation should always and only be expressed in constructive ways that seek to honor the ideals on which our nation was founded. Any means of violence runs counter to who we are and is never acceptable.”

US Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio David DeVillers promised federal charges against any locals who traveled to DC and participated in the events.

City of Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said, “This is treason.”

Cincinnati Vice Mayor Chris Smitherman tweeted the following:

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) criticized what he termed the “violent mob” that stormed the building.

Cincinnati’s Rep. Brad Wenstrup said the violence must stop.

“This violence must stop. The criminals who have broken into the U.S. Capitol, injured law enforcement, and disrupted the constitutional process are not patriots. No matter what flag one is carrying, people violating the law need to be held accountable,” he tweeted. “I condemn these actions and stand behind Capitol Police and our law enforcement in restoring order. Again, the violence must stop.”

Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) said the afternoon’s events are “completely unacceptable.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) simply put it, “just stop it.”

Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) thanked the police.

“I want to thank the Capitol Police for its dedicated service and for keeping everyone--from members to staff--safe. I have every confidence that they will be able to handle this situation,” he said.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Senator Sherrod Brown reached out to Twitter to let their followers know they’re safe.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement around 5 p.m. Wednesday:

“The rule of law means the same rules for everybody. Those of us who called for prosecution of the people who stormed the federal courthouse in Portland must apply the same demand to those who stormed the Capitol today. The color of your skin or the slogan upon your banner must not change what is and is not acceptable.

Let all of us in Ohio remain peaceful. Do not let a sense of injustice produce more injustice.”

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