Lawmakers in Lancaster County and across Pennsylvania have condemned supporters of President Donald J. Trump who have breached the U.S. Capitol.
Trump had appeared earlier Wednesday at a rally and had urged his supporters to march to the Capitol — at one point even suggesting he would join them. He is upset that he lost the presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden and has falsely claimed voter fraud to explain it away.
Here's a look at reactions from some lawmakers who have sounded off on social media:
Gov. Tom Wolf
What we're seeing today is not democracy—it's an attempted coup.We had a free and fair election. The results were clear.Republicans from Pres. Trump to PA legislative leaders need to stop the disinformation and tell their supporters the truth before there's further violence.
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 6, 2021
Rep. Scott Perry
Today in DC should have been about meaningful debate, peaceful protest and the Rule of Law -- not chaos and talks of coups. I unequivocally condemn any violence and criminal acts taking place, and pray for a restoration of peace.
— RepScottPerry (@RepScottPerry) January 6, 2021
Pro-Trump mob swarms Capitol, halt session on Biden victory [photos]
Police with guns drawn watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the West wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
Police in riot gear walk out of the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
People run in the halls as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
A protestor is shown injured during a confrontation with police during a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
A police officer has eyes flushed with water after a confrontation with demonstrators, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Protesters walk as U.S. Capitol Police officers watch in a hallway near the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near the Ohio Clock.
Supporters of President Donald Trump cary flags and banners on Capitol Hill during a rally, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. in Washington.
Police hold off Trump supporters who tried to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
In this Jan. 3, 2021, photo, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., adjusts his face mask as he participates in a swearing-in reenactment ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber at the Capitol in Washington. McConnell thinks it’s dangerous for his party to challenge President-elect Joe Biden’s election triumph. But when a joint session of Congress meets Wednesday, Jan. 6, to formally affirm Biden's electoral college victory over President Donald Trump, some Republicans are charging ahead anyway
Protesters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, near the Ohio Clock.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leaves the House chamber for the Senate to consider objections to certify Electoral College votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Vice President Mike Pence talk before a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
Police keep a watch on demonstrators who tried to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as President, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
Police hold off Trump supporters who tried to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.
People wait to hear speakers Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the "Save America Rally."
With the White House in the background, people arrive to listen to speakers Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the "Save America Rally."
People hand out signs Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the "Save America Rally."
Republican members of Congress applaud as an objection is made to the slate of electors from the state of Arizona as a joint session of Congress as it convenes to count the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is at right.
Joseph Baker of Cape May, N.J., cheers as he waits for speakers Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump called the "Save America Rally."
Trump supporters gather on the Washington Monument grounds in advance of a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
Trump supporters participate in a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington.
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
People listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington.
Trump supporters participate in a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. The president is expected to address a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House.
Sen. Bob Casey
Update from Casey staff: Senator Casey was the only member of our team in the Capitol complex today. He is safe and taking direction from the United States Capitol Police.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) January 6, 2021
Sen. Pat Toomey
This is an absolute disgrace. I appreciate the work of the United States Capitol Police under difficult circumstances. I am currently safe as are the few members of my staff that are currently at the Capitol complex.
— Senator Pat Toomey (@SenToomey) January 6, 2021
Sen. Ryan Aument
There is no excuse for the violence at the US Capitol. This is not patriotism. This is despicable and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Peaceful protests are a right; violence is a crime.
— Sen. Ryan P. Aument (@SenatorAument) January 6, 2021
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land 1/2
— Sen. Ryan P. Aument (@SenatorAument) January 6, 2021
"will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." - President Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address
— Sen. Ryan P. Aument (@SenatorAument) January 6, 2021
Rep. Lloyd Smucker
1/2 - I am horrified by the violence and destruction at the Capitol. This is not who we are as a country. Please go home now.
— Rep. Lloyd Smucker (@RepSmucker) January 6, 2021
2/2- In response to the many inquiries- I am thankful to the Capitol Police for maintaining order and security at our location. My staff and I are safe.
— Rep. Lloyd Smucker (@RepSmucker) January 6, 2021
Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons
Political violence, anarchy, or assaults on police are not acceptable in America. They should be met with the full force of the law wherever they occur. God bless the police and first responders.
— Commissioner Josh Parsons (@CommissionerJP) January 6, 2021
Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D'Agostino
I am saddened and disheartened to see the violence at the Capital Complex in our nation’s capital. Political violence has no place in a democratic country that prides itself on working together to solve problems and on the rule of law.
— Commissioner Ray D'Agostino (@CommissionerRD) January 6, 2021
One of our bedrock rights afforded to us as Americans is the right to peacefully protest and air our grievances in a peaceful, and yes sometime boisterous, manner, but not to resort to violence. Prayers are with first responders who are working in this difficult situation.
— Commissioner Ray D'Agostino (@CommissionerRD) January 6, 2021
Speaker of Pa. House Bryan Cutler and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff
Speaker of the #PAHouse Bryan Cutler and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff issued the following statement:“Any act of violence or destruction is a crime and should be treated as such.(1/4)
— PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 (@PAHouseGOP) January 6, 2021
“An objection to the electoral process is within the rights of members of Congress and has been exercised by members from both sides of the aisle at different times in our nation’s history.(3/4)
— PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 (@PAHouseGOP) January 6, 2021
“Peaceful transitions of power are something our country has responsibly proceeded with since our founding and should serve as an inspiration to the rest of the world.(2/4)
— PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 (@PAHouseGOP) January 6, 2021
“However, that process leads to debate and dialogue, not violence and mayhem.“We strongly condemn any act of violence and destruction and pray for all those impacted today.”(4/4)
— PA House Republicans 🇺🇸 (@PAHouseGOP) January 6, 2021
This story will be updated as other lawmakers post their reactions.
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