PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers addressed the riots at the US Capitol in Washington. D.C. that unfolded Wednesday.
A joint session in Congress was cut short Wednesday as a lockdown was put in place once lawmakers learned that pro-Trump protesters made their way into the building during the House and Senate's debates over the certification of the Electoral College votes.
Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced on Twitter that she was safe as Representatives and Senators were evacuated from the chambers. She also later released a statement condemning the violence that happened at the Capitol.
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) January 7, 2021
I am safe.
— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) January 6, 2021
Arizona's junior Senator Mark Kelly also wrote on Twitter calling the protests at the Capitol "unpatriotic."
In America, we have fair elections and peaceful transfers of power; democracy prevails over chaos; and those who commit violent acts are held accountable. That won’t change today. This unpatriotic attempt to overturn our election – and silence the voices of Arizonans – will fail.
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) January 6, 2021
Several U.S. Representatives of Arizona also posted messages on Twitter addressing the chaos.
Violence and breaking into the U. S. Capitol is dangerous and totally unacceptable.
— Debbie Lesko (@DebbieLesko) January 6, 2021
“I'm afraid there are people on both sides of the issue that are going to be upset.” Arizona Congresswoman Debbie Lesko, (R ) 8th Congressional District said on Tuesday. Congresswoman Lesko said what troubled her most was the degree of misinformation people had about what would happen when Congress met in Joint Session to certify the 2020 election. “They really believe,” she said, “there is going to be some huge decision made and the reality is possible but not probable.”
I am safe and was evacuated to a secure location almost immediately after defending the integrity of Arizona’s elections on the House Floor.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) January 6, 2021
Thank you for your concerns.
Ok. I said let’s do an audit. Let’s not get carried away here. I don’t want anyone hurt. We are protesting the violation of our laws. We are builders not destroyers. BLM burns and loots. We build. If anyone on the ground reads this and is beyond the line come back. pic.twitter.com/cSu6CLKbby
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) January 6, 2021
What began as a weak-minded temper tantrum in the White House has spun out of control—and spawned into a dangerous attempt to carry out a coup d’état in the People’s House.
— Rep. Greg Stanton (@RepGregStanton) January 6, 2021
Today, I will defend the will of Arizona voters.
Joe Biden won the election. That's a cold hard fact and Republicans know it. This attempt to overturn the clear will of the American people is a dangerous attack on our democracy, and I'll be on the House Floor shortly speaking out against it.
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) January 6, 2021
My staff and I are safe.
— Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) January 6, 2021
— Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) January 6, 2021
My staff and I are safe. This is a dark day in American history.
— Rep. Tom O'Halleran (@RepOHalleran) January 6, 2021
I am locked down and safe. But our values are being attacked. This violence has shattered what was supposed to be a routine and honored process in our democracy.
— Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (@RepKirkpatrick) January 6, 2021
Governor Doug Ducey also addressed the protests on Twitter saying "all should denounce, and it should end now."
In America, we practice peaceful transitions of power. We respect the law and law enforcement. The scene at the United States Capitol right now is wrong and has no place in our form of government. All should denounce, and it should end now.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) January 6, 2021
Today’s events in Washington DC are, unfortunately, the natural conclusion to months of conspiracy theories and outright lies. pic.twitter.com/r1a6aTgp9u
— Secretary Katie Hobbs (@SecretaryHobbs) January 6, 2021
House @speakerbowers and Majority Leader @RepBenToma issued a statement denouncing the violent and unlawful protests today at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. https://t.co/h9taQ1B6sm pic.twitter.com/Lqk1tc0LkI
— AZ House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) January 6, 2021
Arizona Congressman Andy Biggs, (R) 5th Congressional District, says objecting to the electoral votes was not to declare the election was stolen from President Trump, rather it was a way for Congress to give voice to the people who believe their vote was stolen from them. Congressman Biggs said, "I know they’re fed up and I know they’re angry.”
I'm about to head to the House of Representatives chamber to participate in the Joint Session of Congress to count the Electoral College votes.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 6, 2021
I will be standing for election integrity & for restoring trust in our elections systems.
PREVIEW of my reasons for objecting ➡️ pic.twitter.com/EUcRGWGeGs
Arizona State Representative Mark Finchem (R) Tucson made joined thousands of people who were going to participate in a day of rallies, marches and speeches. Finchem said he feels it's important to lend his voice to the protest. “Ultimately Congress will do it’s job. I might not like the way they do their job, but then again I don’t like the way the legislature does its job sometimes,” Finchem said. “But that’s democracy. It’s messy.”
What happens when the People feel they have been ignored, and Congress refuses to acknowledge rampant fraud. #stopthesteal pic.twitter.com/0ZXwyOsS7y
— Mark Finchem (@MarkFinchem) January 6, 2021
This comes as Congress had to go into a recess and the US Capitol was placed under lockdown Wednesday when pro-Trump protestors made their way into the building. Lawmakers were in the middle of debates over the certification of the Electoral College votes when the breach happened.
