Zeldin Decries Capitol Breach: 'Zero Tolerance For Violence'

LONG ISLAND, NY — Rep. Lee Zeldin, a longtime staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, decried the crowd that stormed the Capitol Wednesday.

"This should never be the scene at the US Capitol. This is not the America we all love. We can debate and we can disagree, even on a January 6 following a Presidential election," he said. "We can all passionately love our country, but in our republic, we elect people to represent us to voice our objections in the House and Senate on this day. Additionally, there must be zero tolerance for violence in any form! It is very important now for everyone to please cooperate with Capitol police who need to gain control of this situation immediately."

Zeldin was in DC when protestors breached the U.S. Capitol to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States. Earlier, he'd planned to speak out against the count of the electoral votes, according to Newsday.

The crowd overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated. At least one woman was shot and individuals broke windows, breached the building and banged on doors, reports said.

Members of Congress from both parties implored President Donald Trump to use his influence on Twitter to quell the violence. One person was treated for a gunshot wound at the Capitol, a Washington, D.C., paramedic told the Washington, D.C., Fox News affiliate. CNN cited two sources saying the woman was in critical condition.

Trump, who moments earlier had told the teeming crowd of protesters that he would never concede, asked supporters at the Capitol "to remain peaceful."

"No violence!" Trump tweeted. "Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order — respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!"

The National Guard headed to Capitol Hill, CNN reported.

Trump appealed to the protestors: "Go home and go home in peace," he said, adding that the "election was stolen" and that he'd "won in a landslide."