COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine called it an ‘embarrassment.’
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty said it was “inexcusable.”
“Un-American,” “egregious” and “shameful” were also terms used by Ohio leaders from both sides of the political divide and both ends of the spectrum who condemned the occupation of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday by riotous supporters of President Donald Trump.
Ohioans react to riot at U.S. Capitol
The Republican DeWine says the halting of the count of Electoral College votes by a ‘violent mob’ is not acceptable in a nation of laws. He called the actions in Washington an affront to the Constitution and ‘everything we hold dear.’
The former U.S. congressman and senator says peaceful demonstrations are a First Amendment exercise but stopping the constitutional process of electing a president is not.
“It’s unacceptable that these individuals were able to get this close to the Capitol,” Beatty, a Columbus Democrat, said in a video posted on Twitter.
Republican Senator Rob Portman addressed the occupation in a speech on the Senate floor where he said the counting of the votes, while delayed, would continue.
“I want the American people, particularly my constituents in Ohio, to see that we will not be intimidated, that we will not be disrupted from our work, that here in the citadel of democracy we will continue to do the work of the people. Mob rule is not going to prevail here,” Portman said, hours after issuing a statement.
Congress reconvened and confirmed Democrat Joe Biden as the presidential election winner in the early hours of Thursday.
“As Congress completed its mandated business early this morning, we demonstrated that the Constitution is what allows our Republic to withstand even the most egregious and un-American attacks,” said Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Hilliard).
“Our democracy is under assault in our nation’s capital. Violent protests are never acceptable and must stop immediately,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, a Democrat.
Authorities say four people died, including a woman who was shot by police inside the Capitol and three other people who suffered “medical emergencies” during the takeover. At least 52 people were arrested and 14 police officers were injured.
Early Thursday, Trump promised an “orderly transition” on Jan. 20.