'The President is inciting domestic terrorism': Wisconsin lawmakers react after Trump supporters storm Capitol

WASHINGTON — Wisconsin lawmakers are reacting, many of whom were evacuated to an undisclosed location, after supporters of President Trump breached the U.S. Capitol building as legislators began to certify President-elect Joe Biden's presidential victory.

Two senators and eight representatives represent Wisconsin in Congress. All are assumed to have been present at the certification, scheduled to take place all day Wednesday. That process was postponed, however, after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol building and became locked into an armed standoff with police.

Ron Kind, (D - La Crosse), said "it's a disappointment when today should be a day of celebration of the time-honored tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.”

Andrew Harnik/AP

Milwaukee Democrat, Rep. Gwen Moore echoed that sentiment. “To have won those two races in Georgia, certification of a new president, should've brought a lot of hope,” said Moore.

Democrat Marc Pocan of Madison shared a video of the crowds of protesters and rioters on his social media, writing that "it's a sad day for America when the president is inciting domestic terrorism and acting so incredibly irresponsibly because he is not happy he lost the election.”

Andrew Harnik/AP

Strong words were also hurled at President Donald Trump from Republicans. Green Bay’s Mike Gallagher spoke on CNN. “The president needs to call it off, call it off. It's over, the election is over… The objectors need to stop meddling with the primal forces of our democracy here they need to stop it” said Gallagher.

Juneau Republican Scott Fitzgerald, who was just sworn into Congress this week, denounced the violence and said in a statement, “It is my hope that the House will soon resume debate on the electoral ballots in order to uphold our Constitutional responsibility. We should not be further delayed from addressing this serious issue due to today’s lawless acts.”

We have collected a number of responses from current and former lawmakers representing Wisconsin:

Sen. Ron Johnson (R - WI)

Sen. Ron Johnson also told CNN he won’t object to Wisconsin election results.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D - WI)

Rep. Gwen Moore (D - 4th District)

Rep. Mark Pocan (D - 2nd District)

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R - 8th District)

Rep. Ron Kind (D - 3rd District)

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R - 5th District)

“I was in the House Chamber when the Capitol was breached – thankfully, my staff and I are safe and secure. My thanks to law enforcement for their efforts to restore order and I strongly condemn the violence that was inflicted on the men and women of law enforcement doing their duty."

"It is my hope that the House will soon resume debate on the electoral ballots in order to uphold our Constitutional responsibility. We should not be further delayed from addressing this serious issue due to today’s lawless acts.”

REACTION FROM OTHER WISCONSIN LAWMAKERS

Gov. Tony Evers

“As are so many Wisconsinites and Americans, I am watching these horrifying events unfold in Washington, D.C. in disbelief. The peaceful transfer of power is at the very heart of our government and our country. This is an attack on our democracy. Period."

“There must be swift, bipartisan condemnation in no uncertain terms--by the president, by elected officials who’ve sought to sow division and distrust in our election, by elected officials who’ve failed to unequivocally denounce these efforts, all of which fed into today's events."

“We must be united in calling on these individuals to leave the U.S. Capitol and grounds immediately and peacefully. I’m praying for the safety of the elected officials, staffers, members of the press, and first responders, and for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker:

Former White House Chief of Staff Reince Preibus:

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley:

“It is a sad and dark day for our country when more than 100 House members, a dozen Senators, and the President of the United States incite domestic terrorism and attempt to delay or disrupt the peaceful transfer of power of the presidency."

“For weeks, the President has made false claims disputing the outcome of the election and encouraging the conspiracy theories of fringe, violent, Trump extremists who vowed to challenge the result of the November elections. The dangerous and violent scenes that continue to play out in our nation’s capital could have been prevented, instead they were enabled by the very people who took an oath to defend the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic."

“Today’s events are a humiliating day for this country, but it was weeks in the making as the President encouraged the overturn of a democratic election. This is nothing short of an attack on American Democracy and the rule of law, an attack that must be brought to an end immediately. Congress must be allowed to complete a peaceful transfer of power and get back to the working on behalf of the American people.”

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip