JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri (AP) – Missouri’s Republican and Democratic leaders demonstrated against protesters who on Wednesday stormed the US Capitol in a chaotic and violent protest against President Donald Trump’s electoral defeat.
Trump supporters occupied the Capitol and interrupted a joint session of Congress, where lawmakers were beginning to count electoral votes.
Republican Governor Mike Parson, who said he was a “law and order guy”, lamented the rebel protesters for breaking the law. US Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, called for an end to the violence and said offenders should be held responsible.
State lawmakers also spoke out against the crowd.
The Missouri State House maintained a moment of silence and Republican leaders described the violence as unacceptable.
Kansas City Senator John Rizzo, the top Democrat in the Missouri Senate, canceled a press conference and called the occupation “an act of modern treason” The Democratic minority leader in the House, Crystal Quade, said it is “an affront to democracy and everything that America stands for “
Both Quade and Rizzo asked Missouri’s Republican leaders to condemn the violence.
Trump’s supporters, some openly carrying weapons, also met in front of the Missouri Capitol on Wednesday, during the first day of the state’s legislative session. Capitol Police Chief Zim Schwartze said they were “calm and peaceful” and “followed the rules”.
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