Rand Paul calls Capitol riot ‘wrong and un-American’

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called the riot that broke out Wednesday at the Capitol as lawmakers were certifying the Electoral Vote “wrong and un-American,” and slammed the idea that Congress could overturn the Electoral College vote.

Violence unfolded at the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon as a mob of Pro-Tump protesters stormed the Capitol building, forcing lawmakers to evacuate.

“I wrote a speech today. I was planning to say I fear the chaos of establishing a precedent that Congress can overturn elections,” Paul said as part of a lengthy thread on Twitter. 

“Boy, was I right. Chaos. Anarchy. It’s wrong and un-American.”

This is the speech I’ll be giving today from an undisclosed location.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 6, 2021

Paul has been a staunch supporter of President Trump, and has backed the president on his baseless claims that the election was riddled with widespread voter fraud. But he has said “I cannot vote to overturn” the results of the election.

“This would doom the electoral college forever,” Paul tweeted. “It was never intended by our founders that Congress have the power to overturn state-certified elections.”

“My oath to the Constitution doesn’t allow me to disobey the law. I cannot vote to overturn the verdict of the states.”

This would doom the electoral college forever.

It was never intended by our founders that Congress have the power to overturn state-certified elections.

My oath to the Constitution doesn’t allow me to disobey the law. I cannot vote to overturn the verdict of the states.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 6, 2021

Paul continued, saying that overturning the Electoral Vote would overturn “everything held dear to us to support the rights to states,” adding that the Electoral College is “an inseparable friend to those who believe that every American across our vast country deserves to be heard.”

He added that chaos would follow if Congress were given the power to overturn states’ elections.

“It is one thing to be angry.  It is another to focus one’s anger in a constructive way. That hasn’t happened today, to say the least,” Paul said. “We simply cannot destroy the Constitution, our laws, and the electoral college in the process.”

“I hope as the nation’s anger cools, we can channel that energy into essential electoral reforms in every state.”

I hope as the nation’s anger cools, we can channel that energy into essential electoral reforms in every state.

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 6, 2021

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) imposed a 6 p.m. curfew as a result of the riot, and the National Guard was activated.