Texas Elected Officials React to Wednesday's Violence at the Capitol in DC

[#TexasPolitics365] 

When violent protesters entered the US Capitol building on Wednesday to express their outrage over what they viewed as a stolen election, their violence received no sympathy from the Texas legislative delegation, even from those who shared their viewpoint.

Sen.Ted Cruz, who led the charge in the Congress to decertify the Electoral College votes several states had cast for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, tweeted at 2:07 pm, during the breech of the Capitol building,  "Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence—from Left or Right— is ALWAYS wrong. And those engaged in violence are hurting the cause they say they support."

But former Congressman Beto O'Rourke responded to Cruz's comments, laying the blame for the violence on Cruz.

"It is your self serving attempt at sedition that has helped to inspire these terrorists and their attempted coup."

Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas was even more blunt than Cruz, tweeting around the same time,"Stop this bullshit right now."

In a video released on Twitter by a KHOU TV reporter, Crenshaw later challenged President Trump to come to the Capitol building with a bullhorn and urge protesters to abandon their violence and leave the area. "You've got to man up, you've got to man up. They're not reading your tweets. They're breaking into the capitol. They're not stopping and pulling out their phones and reading tweets."

Former President George W Bush called the violence on Capitol Hill, "sickening and heartbreaking," going on to say, " To those who are disappointed in the results of the election: our country is more important than the politics of the moment."

Dr. Michael Burgess, congressman from the 26th Texas congressional district praised Capitol Police.

"I want to thank Capitol Police for their bravery and for keeping those on Capitol grounds safe. Violence is never an acceptable answer."

Rep. Chip Roy of Austin spoke eloquently on the House Floor Thursday night.

"History will judge this moment. Let us not turn the last firewall for liberty we have remaining on its head in a fit of populous rage for political expediency."

Republican Congressman John Carter of Round Rock also condemned the violence.

"Peaceful protests are a fundamental right in the United States, but violence is absolutely unacceptable. Respect our law enforcement officers’ orders. Vacate the Capitol and let the process unfold. Anyone committing violent acts should be immediately arrested."

Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey of Dallas-Fort Worth tweeted during the siege and blaming Pres. Trump for the violence.

"President Trump’s assault on our democracy has caused the violence that is happening outside the US Capitol right now. My staff and I are safe and we thank the Capitol Police for protecting us. Now is the time to come together—not fan the dangerous flames of division.

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