Michigan Lawmakers Condemn Protests As U.S. Capitol Breached

MICHIGAN — Dozens of Michigan lawmakers, some in Washington D.C. for a hearing to count the electoral college votes and others in Michigan, spoke out on Wednesday against pro-Donald Trump protesters who stormed Capitol Hill.

Police have ordered the evacuation of buildings on Capitol Hill as the Senate recessed the counting of Electoral College votes due to mass protests of pro-Trump supporters attempting to overturn the Nov. 3 election.

“What is unfolding today in our nation’s capital is truly appalling," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that was released at the same time as a statement from former Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican. "Violence, vandalism, and insurrection have no place in this great country of ours. We are a nation of laws, not mobs."

“While we come from different backgrounds and political parties, Governor Whitmer and I share a deep love for our country,” Snyder said. “We must always remember that we are Americans first, and we are not one another’s enemy. That’s why I join with Governor Whitmer in calling on people of goodwill across America to pray for peace, calm, and healing.”

Read More: Trump Supporters Breach Locked Down Capitol; Standoff With Police

Protesters stormed their way into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States. The move overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated.

Trump supporters also gathered in Lansing but remained peaceful in their protests outside the state Capitol, which was closed Wednesday.

The violence at Capitol Hill resulted in one person being shot, officials confirmed Wednesday. The woman later died from those injuries, according to The Associated Press. It also led to mass evacuations of Capitol buildings as lawmakers were rushed to safe-havens.

Capitol Hill has since been cleared of protesters, officials said.

Many around the nation called on Trump to speak directly to his supports who marched and assaulted the Capitol, to which he eventually released a video telling them to go home but not condemning their actions.

As Trump supports stormed Capitol Hill, many lawmakers from Michigan tweeted about their experiences inside government buildings. Many of them sheltered in their offices while Capitol police worked to keep protesters away from them.

Democratic State Representative Haley Stevens was one of those lawmakers, saying she was sheltering in place in her office while other buildings were evacuated.

"The building next door has been evacuated. I can’t believe I have to write this," she said.

Another Michigan representative, Democrat Dan Kildee, said lawmakers would not be intimidated by the mobs of protesters that stormed the building. However, the hearing to count electoral college votes eventually was recessed, and legislators were evacuated.

Kildee said while being evacuated, he was asked to stay down and wear a gas mask.

"Chamber security and Capitol Police have their guns drawn as protesters bang on the front door of the chamber," Kildee said. "This is not a protest. This is an attack on America."

Democratic Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin said she was sheltering in her office and thanked the Capitol police for their work against those storming the building.

"Violence has absolutely no place in our politics," she said. "I implore protesters to remain peaceful in exercising their first amendment rights, and I urge my colleagues to recognize where their actions have led us."

Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and Democratic Senator Gary Peters also said they were safe in a location away from the Capitol.

Criticism of the protesters' actions in Washington D.C. Wednesday was not partisan. The official Michigan GOP Senate account posted a tweet Wednesday saying the protests in Washington D.C. are not protests but are criminal.

"America does not resolve its political differences through violence and anyone who attempts to do so must be arrested and punished to the fullest extent of the law," the GOP Senate account tweeted.

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey on Wednesday called the protests "a disgrace."

"Today should have been a peaceful event," he said. "I condemn the actions of the individuals who threatened our members of Congress and our Republic. They are criminals who should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

State representative in Michigan Peter Meijer, a Republican, called Wednesday's protests "a sad day for our Republic."

Meijer called Trump's video message to protesters "unacceptable."

"Acknowledge Biden as President-Elect and end this madness," Meijer said in a tweet directed at the president. "Violent rioters laid siege to the nation’s Capitol in an act of insurrection unparalleled in modern times. This is not leadership."

Many Michigan legislators who have been battling for legislation banning firearms at the Michigan Capitol used Wednesday's attacks in Washington D.C. as reinforcement that a ban needs to be implemented.

In the spring, protesters upset with state executive orders issued by Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer marched on the state capitol armed with firearms. Since then, many Michigan legislators have been demanding a firearms ban on Capitol grounds.

Michigan Democratic Sen. Dayna Plehanki on Twitter tweeted at Shirkey urging him to address a bill she had previously proposed banning guns at the Capitol.