Pallone: 'Trump’s Disdain For Our Democracy In Full View'

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ6) tweeted he was safe after supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, in an unprecedented attempt to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States. One person was shot and the vice president and members of Congress fled to safety as protesters smashed windows to get inside and took over the halls of Congress.

Pallone, long a Trump foe, also had some choice words for Trump:

"President Trump’s disdain for our democracy is in full view," Pallone tweeted Wednesday afternoon while in lockdown. "The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but no one has the right to commit these heinous acts of violence just because they disagree with the outcome of an election."

As the takeover attempt started, Trump tweeted that he was "asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!"

"I’m safe and currently under lockdown orders at the Capitol complex," tweeted Pallone. "I’ve never seen anything like this horrific attack but I want to assure you - we will carry out our constitutional duty and certify the results of the presidential election."

Pallone is a Democratic congressman who has represented New Jersey's Sixth Congressional district since 1998. The sixth district stretches from Carteret and Woodbridge into Edison, New Brunswick and down to Asbury Park. It hugs the Bayshore coastline, including towns such as Aberdeen, Matawan, Hazlet, Sea Bright and West Long Branch.

Many of New Jersey's Congress reps, nearly all of whom are Democrats, tweeted their outrage over what occurred Wednesday: "This has been an obscene attack on our democracy," said Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D, NJ-11. South Jersey Congressman Andy Kim, also a Democrat, tweeted that the city of Washington's initial request for the National Guard was denied, and he demanded to know why.

But many Republicans also disavowed what America witnessed Wednesday in Washington.

"What we are witnessing in Washington is not how our democracy is supposed to function. The protesters who have breached the United States Capitol building illegally should go home immediately or face the full force of the law," said New Jersey Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Democrat, in a rare joint statement.

U.S. Sens Tom Cotton (Arkansas) and Marco Rubio (Florida), both Republican leaders, called for the protesters to stop.

"Violence and anarchy are unacceptable. We are a nation of laws. This needs to end now," tweeted Cotton immediately after protesters stormed the building.

Rubio called on Trump to tell the protesters to stop, saying "Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men & women of law enforcement are under assault. It is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down."

The far-right protesters stormed the Capitol immediately after Vice President Mike Pence said he did not have the authority to reject Electoral votes that were disputed. Prior to that, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that Congress does not have the power to overturn an election.

After Pence's remarks, Trump tweeted “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!”