Former President George W. Bush condemned the “insurrection” in Washington DC on Wednesday and blamed “some political leaders” after protesters broke into the United States Capitol building, prompting members of Congress and others to evacuate or house on site.
“I am shocked by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and the lack of respect shown today by our institutions, traditions and law enforcement,” Bush said in a statement. “The violent attack on the Capitol – and the interruption of a Congressional meeting ordered by the Constitution – was undertaken by people whose passions were ignited by lies and false hopes.”
LAWYERS, ASSISTANTS AND OTHER SHELTERS WITHIN THE CAPITOLO DESCRIBE CHAOS; AT LEAST 1 DEAD
President Trump delivered a speech to supporters in the nation’s capital earlier in the day, doubling the unproven claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against him.
Former US President George W. Bush speaks during the funeral of the late civil rights leader John Lewis at the State Capitol in Georgia on July 30, 2020. (Photo by ALYSSA POINTER / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
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In the late afternoon, Capitol Police fought with protesters for hours after a crowd broke in to protest the validation of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College on Wednesday. A joint session of Congress had to be suspended earlier and postponed while members evacuated, wearing gas masks, to undisclosed locations. Images show that authorities barricaded the doors to protect advisers, journalists and others inside, while an angry mob clashed with police in the corridors.
At least one person died from a gunshot wound, police said.
US Capitol Police with guns drawn is near a barricaded door as protesters attempt to break into the House of Representatives at the US Capitol on January 6 in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
(AP)
At least one protester managed to reach the stage in front of the Senate floor. Another posed for a photo behind the desk of Mayor Nancy Pelosi. Senators shockedly described how Vice President Mike Pence was rushed to safety when the perimeter was first breached.
“The insurrection can cause serious damage to our nation and our reputation,” continued Bush. “In the United States of America, it is the fundamental responsibility of every patriotic citizen to support the rule of law.”
GOP POLITICS CONDEMN VIOLENCE IN THE CAPITOL, CALL THE END OF THE MOTIVATIONS
He concluded with a message to Americans still upset about the results of the 2020 elections.
“Our country is more important than the politics of the moment,” he said. “May the authorities elected by the people fulfill their duties and represent our voices in peace and security. May God continue to bless the United States of America.”
President Trump has repeatedly encouraged protesters to be peaceful and leave the Capitol, but he has also doubled the unproven rhetoric about how the 2020 election was “stolen” and ended up suspended from Twitter.
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Pence, who led the National Guard’s response to restoring order instead of President Trump, condemned the chaos and promised that the agitators would face criminal prosecution.
At 7:30 pm, reports emerged that members of Congress were returning to Capitol and returning to the validation debate. A Pence spokesman confirmed that the vice president also returned to convene the joint session.