TOLEDO, Ohio — After President Donald Trump addressed his supporters Wednesday while a joint U.S. Congress session took place to certificate President-elect Joe Biden's win, crowds of the president's protesters marched to the U.S. Capitol, breached police barricades, and made their way inside the U.S. Senate chambers.
The Capitol was placed on lockdown, and police ordered evacuations of several buildings, and the certification of Electoral College votes was delayed. Members of Congress were escorted out of the room.
Ohio leaders released the following statements:
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH:
The senator tweeted about the incident, saying he and his staff were safe.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-OH:
The senator called for the president to condemn the acts of violence against law enforcement and the U.S. Capitol.
Portman's office also released the following statement on his behalf:
“I condemn the violent and criminal acts that took place at the U.S. Capitol today. These shameful actions to disrupt a session of Congress and vandalize the Capitol building should never happen in our great republic. The U.S. Capitol belongs to every American and is a symbol of the citadel of democracy. An attack on the Capitol building is an attack on every American. Likewise, an attack on our nation’s brave law enforcement officers is an attack on the rule of law and the safety and security of all Americans.
“It is time for President Trump to embrace the peaceful transfer of power, which is mandated under the Constitution and a hallmark of our democracy. The Senate should reconvene in our Chamber to get our work done. I urge the House and Senate to certify the electoral college results tonight.”
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo:
A spokesperson for Kaptur's office said the Congresswoman was sheltering in place with colleagues in the capitol and that her staff was safe.
The Congresswoman also posted a tweet, reprimanding the violence and the president:
Kaptur also released the following statement:
“This is a horrific day for American democracy and liberty. My deepest gratitude goes out to the selfless men and women of the Capitol Police for keeping my colleagues and our public servants safe. The attack on the U.S. Capitol today is an assault on democracy, decency and our Constitution. Those who have stoked and perpetuated this violence must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Such lawless behavior will not be allowed to prevent our constitutional mandate. I look forward to Congress reconvening and completing its work to certify America’s vote and to doing the work we must to heal this nation.”
U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green:
A spokesperson for Latta released a statement saying the Congressman and his staff were safe. The representative also tweeted about the incident, saying the "attacks on our democracy are abhorrent and must stop."
Additionally, Latta's office also released the following statement on his behalf:
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Findlay:
The representative tweeted in support of Capitol police.
Jordan's tweet was followed by another one:
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine:
"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."
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost:
"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."
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio Justin Herdman:
Toledo Mayor Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz:
Ohio Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green: