Shortly after this story was published, the New Jersey Globe confirmed Rep. Chris Smith’s safety. That means the state’s entire delegation is safe amid the assault on Congress.
New Jersey’s congressional delegation condemned an assault on the nation’s Capitol carried out by President Donald Trump’s supporters and called for the election loser to demand they leave the building.
“Today inside the Capitol, Republicans sought to tear down our democracy while the rightwing extremist mob they whipped up outside is violently trying to do the same,” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) said. “This attempted coup is treasonous. It was incited directly by Donald Trump and some Congressional Republicans. When he leaves office Trump must be prosecuted for his crimes, perhaps including his incitement to violence.”
Urged by the president, Trump supporters stormed Congress as chambers were counting electoral votes to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
The New Jersey Globe has confirmed the safety of the state’s entire congressional delegation.
“On August 24, 1814, the British stormed our Capitol and set fire to it. Now the Capitol has again been breached and sieged,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-Newark) said. “Donald Trump incited this. He is responsible for this. And he is silent as this tragic moment continues.”
More than an hour after the assault on Congress began, Trump tweeted a video in which he falsely claimed the election was stolen, told the attackers “We love you, you’re very special” and lied in claiming he won the election in a “landslide.”
In between the false claims, Trump made a single call for the assailants to leave building. Twitter restricted the tweet over fears it would incite further violence.
“It’s past time for President Trump to simply accept that he lost the election and call off the mob,” Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) said. “Congress will get back to certifying the election and ensuring that our democratic processes continue.”
RELATED ARTICLES
-
October 25, 2020 -
October 11, 2020
-
October 4, 2020