Ohio Governor Blames Trump For U.S. Capitol Riot

COLUMBUS, OH — Gov. Mike DeWine issued a plea for Americans to come together and accept Joe Biden as the president-elect.

The governor also condemned his longtime ally, President Donald Trump, for his "incendiary" speech which contributed to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. DeWine said the president needs to commit to a peaceful transfer of power because he lost the November election.

"President Trump's continued refusal to accept the election results without presenting credible evidence of a rigged election has started a fire that has threatened to burn down our democracy," the governor said. However, he refused to comment on using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from power.

"I can't make that judgement call," he said.

DeWine defended his previous relationship with Trump, and his refusal to condemn Trump's false claims of election fraud.

"I have faith in our system," DeWine said on Thursday. "The political system works. I don't always like it. I've lost two elections, I didn't like that. I've had presidential candidates lose, I didn't like that. But the system works."

The governor said when Trump supporters had claims of election fraud they should have been allowed to take them to court. The system then did its job. Now, Americans need to come together.

"We have to remember what binds us together. We have to remember that we are not enemies," DeWine added.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted also said Ohioans should have confidence in the American election system.

"The presidential election of 2020 was not stolen," Husted said. "That does not mean election laws and processes used by other states were as good as Ohio."

He added, "There is a difference between an inefficient process and a stolen election. It is reckless to equate the two."

Protests in Washington, D.C. became riots on Wednesday as the U.S. Congress moved to count the Electoral College votes from the November presidential election. Far right supporters of President Donald Trump, who lost to President-elect Joe Biden, stormed barricades and forced their way into the Capitol building, disrupting the process.

The mayhem overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated and a California woman was shot to death. Three other deaths were reported around the Capitol grounds. DC's police chief said one woman and two men suffered medical emergencies which resulted in their deaths.

Ohio's elected officials, from both parties, have condemned the violence and called for a restoration of order.