Amidst DC Protest, Prominent Texans React

Today was the day Congress was supposed to certify the Electoral College results, officially naming Joe Biden the 46th president of the United States. Instead, the otherwise uneventful procedure met with thousands of pro-Trump supporters marching in the US Capitol.

Somewhere around 2:15 pm (ET), the Capitol building had to be placed on lockdown and Vice-President Mike Pence had to be evacuated after angry protesters rushed past law enforcement agents and into the legislative chambers. At least one person was shot during the breach.

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) was compelled to impose a city lockdown in response to the violent events. 

Many people inside the building, including prominent Republicans who have supported Trump’s attempts to overthrow the election took to their Twitter accounts to call for peace and order.

Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton a notable Trump supporter who in recent days confirmed his attendance and invited others to join the rallies, tweeted: 

I am sorely disappointed today in the certification of the election, but I don’t believe violence is the answer. #ElectoralCollege #Elections2020

— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) January 6, 2021

Texas Senator Ted Cruz had this to say:

Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW.

The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence—from Left or Right— is ALWAYS wrong.

And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support.

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 6, 2021

Cruz’s tweet was called out by his former rival, Beto O’Rourke:

It is your self serving attempt at sedition that has helped to inspire these terrorists and their attempted coup. https://t.co/AGj44pipsd

— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) January 6, 2021

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) reacted to the protests with short words:

Stop this bullshit right now.

— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) January 6, 2021

Rep. Chip Roy (R) urged President Trump to calm people down:

Mr. President – get to a microphone immediately and establish calm and order. Now. And work with Capitol Police to secure the Capitol. It’s the last thing you’ll do that matters as President. @realDonaldTrump @MarkMeadows

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) January 6, 2021

Other members assured constituents of their wellbeing while also condemning the protesters acts and President  Trump’s role in this. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D) and Rep. Sheila Jackson (D) also tweeted from inside the Capitol building:

I am currently safe, but the Capitol has been breached and some colleagues are trapped there. President Trump has set loose violence on our Congress.

— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) January 6, 2021

1/3 I am in the US Capitol. I am safe and will not fear or leave because of this unwarranted and shameless violence. These actions are not serving well at all our precious Democracy, America.

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) January 6, 2021

Others calling for resignations:

Senators @TedCruz and @HawleyMO should immediately resign.

— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) January 6, 2021

Later on President Trump tweeted a video asking protesters to go home.

The video has been deleted from Twitter, Facebook and Youtube, after executives from all 3 major platforms deemed the video a risk that could incite more violence. “This is an emergency situation and we are taking appropriate emergency measures, including removing President Trump’s video,” said Facebook VP of integrity Guy Rosen.