Capitol Chaos 'Sickening And Illegal': Fairfield Leaders React

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Democrats and Republicans alike spoke out Wednesday against the unrest that culminated in supporters of President Donald Trump overwhelming police and entering the U.S. Capitol to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the country’s next president.

“Those responsible for the protests that have led to the storming of our nation’s Capitol should disperse immediately,” First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, a Republican, said in a Facebook post just after 4 p.m. “These actions are dismantling a constitutionally mandated process that must play out. Storming our nation’s Capitol to access an occupied House and occupied Senate chambers, is despicable.”

Kupchick called on Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to send a message that such behavior would not be tolerated.

READ MORE: Trump Mob Breaches Capitol; 1 Killed; 30 Arrested Past Curfew

Also Wednesday, Fairfield’s Democratic and Republican town committees released a joint statement in response to the activity in Washington.

"The violent attack on the United States Capitol that took place today is both sickening and illegal,” said the statement, issued about 5 p.m. and attributed to Republican committee Chairman Alex Plitsas and Democratic committee Chairman Steven Sheinberg.

“What transpired was a treasonous assault on our democracy and our cherished democratic institutions. These acts are not the actions of patriots and are un-American at their core. This violence must be condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike, including the President of the United States. Donald Trump must immediately act to end these seditious acts and discourage further acts of violence.”

Members of Congress were evacuated as the situation escalated, with one person shot and reported dead. The Senate and House resumed the electoral count at 8 p.m. with comments from the vice president and Senate leaders condemning the "thugs." With the capital city under a mandatory curfew, police moved to arrest or disperse remaining protesters.

Members of Congress from both parties implored President Donald Trump to use his influence on Twitter to quell the afternoon's violence. Biden in a televised broadcast repeatedly urged Trump to "step up" to calm the nation's capital.

Trump, who had told the teeming crowd of protesters at a morning rally that he would never concede, seemed to capitulate to critics who said he had fueled the insurgents and later told his supporters to "go home in peace."

"This was a fraudulent election," he said in a tweeted video at 4:17 p.m., "but we cannot play into the hands of these people."

The president was castigated for telling his supporters, "We love you. You're very special."

In addition to the Capitol Police, numerous other agencies assisted in responding to the mayhem, including the National Guard, D.C. Metropolitan Police, Maryland State Police, Virginia State Police, New Jersey State Police and Montgomery County Police Department. Trump supporters spilled into the streets in several cities across the country.

“There is no place in a peaceful democratic society for those who attempt to enforce their will through violence,” the Fairfield committees’ statement said. “We are disgusted by the actions that we have witnessed today and pray for the safety of our law enforcement personnel, members of congress, and all those inside the U.S. Capitol and adjacent buildings. As soon as is safely possible, Congress must be allowed to perform their Constitutional duty and certify the 2020 Election results."