WASHINGTON (WNCN) – Gov. Roy Cooper remarked on the violence in Washington today.
“Today’s terrorism is not who we are. This attack on our country must be overcome,” Cooper said in part.
Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08), who on Monday said he would oppose the Electoral vote, tweeted that violence would not change the outcome as protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Dozens of people have breached security perimeters at the Capitol, forcing the lockdown of the building and halting the vote to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
President Donald Trump has so far offered a single tweet asking his supporters to “Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!”
Trump urged his supporters to come to Washington to protest Congress’ formal approval of Biden’s win. Several Republican lawmakers have backed his calls, despite there being no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing in the election.
“Violence will not change the outcome and is completely counter to this process. Capitol Police are honest, decent men and women whose only goal is to serve and protect the public,” Hudson tweeted as those in the House chamber used furniture to barricade the doors.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis tweeted that he supports police, but he condemned the violence that was taking place at the Capitol.
On Wednesday, Tillis said he would not object the Electoral College vote.
Republican Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-3) said on Twitter he was safe before sending out a statement condemning the violence.
“Let me first and foremost, in the strongest way possible, condemn the anarchy and violence that has beset our Capitol today. As I have said many times peaceful protests are one of the most meaningful foundations of our democracy. However violence like today or any type of violence like looting and burning in protest is not to be tolerated. We were having meaningful debate in the House chamber regarding beliefs about the United States Constitution and possible violations of it by certain states. That meaningful dialogue has now been destroyed and marred by this of violence. This is not how America operates. I am ashamed of this horrible behavior.”
“I was watching it and all of a sudden there was this sense of that you’re not even looking at the screen. A sense of panic and a very quick shutdown,” Rep. David Price, (D) North Carolina 4th District said.
“They told everybody to lockdown, get in your offices, lock your doors, get away from the windows,” Rep. Deborah Ross, (D) North Carolina 2nd District said.
“How surreal this was,” Price said.
“We’re hoping that the horrible, appalling afternoon and evening that we’ve has made an impression on our colleagues and that they will finally, finally accept the will of the American people,” Ross said.
Senator Richard Burr, (R) North Carolina released the following statement:
“For nearly 250 years, our nation’s commitment to the peaceful transition of power has been the shining hallmark of our democracy. Today, America’s core principles were threatened by those seeking to forcibly stop our electoral process and overturn the results of a presidential election with which they disagreed. Let me be clear: these actions are not a defense of this country, but an attack on it. I supported President Trump’s legal right to contest the election results through the courts, but the courts have now unanimously and overwhelmingly rejected these suits. No evidence of voter fraud has emerged that would warrant overturning the 2020 election. The President bears responsibility for today’s events by promoting the unfounded conspiracy theories that have led to this point. It is past time to accept the will of American voters and to allow our nation to move forward. Congress will uphold its constitutional duty and certify the results of the election.”
Sen. Richard Burr statement
Representative Alma Adams, a Democrat, who represents North Carolina’s 12th District released the following statement:
“Today has been the hardest day of my time in Congress, but my resolve hasn’t wavered. I am ready to certify the results of the presidential election as soon as we are back in the House chamber. I want to call on my colleagues across the aisle, in the interest of national unity, to vote to certify the results of the election without objection. Now is the time – for the sake of our country – to reject those who fan the flames of chaos and destruction. We have the opportunity to end this day of division and destruction united as patriots. Let’s do our Constitutional duty to make sure the voice of the American people is heard. We will reconvene and hopefully certify this vote tonight.”
Rep. Alma Adams statement