House

GOP lawmaker denounces protesters charging Capitol steps: ‘This is not who we are’

by Aris Folley - 01/06/21 2:48 PM ET

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) denounced protesters seen clashing with police outside the Capitol on Wednesday as droves of pro-Trump demonstrators descend on Washington to challenge the presidential election results.

“Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police. This is wrong,” Mace wrote in a tweet on Wednesday that also included footage of protesters clashing with police on the steps outside the Capitol.

“This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today,” Mace continued.

The South Carolina representative is also one of seven conservative House Republicans that said over the weekend they will not be joining their colleagues in challenging the presidential election results this week.

Just evacuated my office in Cannon due to a nearby threat. Now we’re seeing protesters assaulting Capitol Police.

This is wrong. This is not who we are. I’m heartbroken for our nation today. pic.twitter.com/jC9P0YfSLQ

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) January 6, 2021

Thousands of pro-Trump supporters have come to the nation’s capital this week to protest the results amid Congress’s certification of the Electoral College vote, and hundreds could be seen rushing barricades located behind the Capitol building around Wednesday afternoon.

As of Wednesday morning, police had arrested at least 10 people, some of whom authorities said were in possession of firearms, during pro-Trump demonstrations in the District.

In footage and media making the rounds on Twitter later Wednesday, protesters could be seen inside the Capitol, which was placed on lockdown shortly after.

Protestors have entered the Capitol. pic.twitter.com/dzaDGn5MoC

— Jazmine Ulloa (@jazmineulloa) January 6, 2021

Protesters have breached the Capitol. They’re outside the Senate chamber pic.twitter.com/I021tKliUD

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 6, 2021

The news comes as President Trump has continued to spread disputed claims about the November election and weeks after he called on his supporters to gather in D.C. the same day Congress is scheduled to certify votes by the Electoral College affirming President-elect Joe Biden won the race.

“Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!” he tweeted last month.

So far, over 100 congressional Republicans have thrown support behind Trump’s bid seeking to overturn the results of November’s election.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who has also said he supports efforts by conservatives seeking to challenge the certification of the Electoral College vote, thanked Capitol police on Wednesday for “protecting the People’s House.”

“Protesters have a Constitutionally-protected right to be heard, but I urge them to remain peaceful.”

However, his tweet quickly drew a jab from Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who shot back not long after on Twitter: “Nope. You caused this. You break it, you buy it.”