Update Thursday, Jan. 7, 8:48 a.m. PT
Nevada lawmakers continue to comment on the armed insurgency of the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto tweeted an update yesterday about the importance of finishing the Electoral College tally.
We, as lawmakers, can’t give in to the fear or hatred we saw today. I’m speaking on the Senate floor to call upon all of my colleagues to vote down this objection to the Electoral College results and protect our democracy. WATCH live here ➡️ https://t.co/E7WhGHVmTn
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) January 7, 2021
U.S. Rep. Susie Lee told the extremist mob that they had failed.
To the violent extremists in our Capitol: Just so you know, you failed.
— Rep. Susie Lee (@RepSusieLee) January 6, 2021
We will return to the Capitol tonight to begin certification of the 2020 election. You won’t stop us from fulfilling that duty and upholding our democracy.
U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford remembered the woman who died in the violence Wednesday.
Today, a woman is dead because President Trump encouraged insurrection against our government and duly-elected leaders.
— Rep. Steven Horsford (@RepHorsford) January 7, 2021
We cannot allow another day to pass without accountability for the harm this President has caused. President Trump must be impeached and removed from office. pic.twitter.com/g1NgGiLD9Z
Nev. Attorney General Aaron Ford indirectly called out President Trump for his role in the violence.
He told us who he was. Many times. Some of us believed him. Others did not. You believe him now?
— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) January 7, 2021
Some of us warned that his dog whistles would get people hurt. Many didn’t want to hear it. Hear it now?
What we saw today was darkness in broad daylight.
But a new day is coming.
State Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner referred to the rioters as "patriots" but condemned their violent actions.
I voice my support for the patriots that went to Washington DC to peacefully protest. The #FirstAmendment however, only protects the right to peacefully protest. I am opposed to violent extremists.
— Lisa Krasner (@LisaKrasner4NV) January 7, 2021
Many criticized that tweet, including Nev. Senator Chris Brooks from Las Vegas.
Far too little, far too late. Y’all don’t get to try to now distance yourself from this disgusting behavior. https://t.co/TySmI3pLj1
— Senator Chris Brooks (@LVchrisbrooks) January 7, 2021
State Assemblyman for District 39, Jim Wheeler urged for arrests of rioters.
Anyone causing violence in the Capital should be immediately arrested and prosecuted. Same standard as those who caused violence in our cities before. Let our representatives do Thier work.
— Jim Wheeler (@Wheeler4Nevada) January 6, 2021
Original story, published Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. PT
As pro-Trump extremists broke into the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. and erupted into chaos Wednesday, several Nevada lawmakers who were there marked themselves safe via Twitter and condemned their actions.
Republican Representative Mark Amodei, who has remained quiet about whether he would accept the election results, tweeted that “history was made for all the wrong reasons” and called the insurrection shameful.
Democratic Representative Steven Horsford tweeted his statement, saying the day’s events are a direct result of a call to arms by President Donald Trump. He says he still plans to certify the election results.
My statement on today's violence at the U.S. Capitol. pic.twitter.com/Cx3WehCZOH
— Rep. Steven Horsford (@RepHorsford) January 6, 2021
Democratic Representative Susie Lee thanked Capitol Police and called the day “an attack on democracy itself.”
My staff & I are safe. We are waiting for law enforcement to secure the area, and I’m grateful to Capitol Police for protecting us and our democratic institutions.
— Rep. Susie Lee (@RepSusieLee) January 6, 2021
This is an attack on democracy itself. All the violent rhetoric and conspiracy theories. This is what we feared.
Democratic Representative Dina Titus tweeted that the events are attempting to destroy democracy, but she added the pro-Trump extremists won’t succeed.
As I shelter in place, lawless domestic terrorists encouraged by the President of the United States are attempting to destroy our democracy. They will not succeed.
— Dina Titus (@repdinatitus) January 6, 2021
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported both of Nevada’s Senators, Democrats Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, as being safe. Cortez Masto called the events un-American.
The events at the U.S. Capitol are un-American and unacceptable. I’m thankful for the Capitol Police who are working hard to ensure that we all stay safe. I condemn this violence in every way possible.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) January 6, 2021
Sen. Rosen tweeted that in the "face of violence, democracy prevailed."
In the face of violence, democracy prevailed.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) January 7, 2021
I am glad that the United States Senate reconvened quickly and fulfilled our duty to certify the 2020 Presidential Election, despite rioting, violence, and terror at the United States Capitol.
Several Nevada lawmakers also took to Twitter to condemn the violence that transpired Wednesday.
Governor Steve Sisolak tweeted that the chaos was the opposite of patriotic and called it “undemocratic and un-American.”
The chaos that has erupted in the United States Capitol is the opposite of patriotic -- it is undemocratic and un-American. I am praying for the safety of Nevada's federal delegation, all congressional members and staff, & law enforcement officers. This must stop.
— Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) January 6, 2021
Attorney General Aaron Ford tweeted throughout the day. He first shared a video of pro-Trump extremists fighting with federal police, calling their actions “a riot, not a protest. Period.” Ford later tweeted he’s praying for the United States during this dark time.
What we are experiencing in our Nation’s Capitol is a terrifying attack on our democratic republic.
— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) January 6, 2021
I’m praying that no one else is harmed in this violent attempt to overthrow our government, and I’m praying for our Country on this a dark day in our history.
May God Bless us.
Republican Nevada State Senator Ben Kieckhefer from Carson City and Washoe County called the images horrific. He called on other leaders to condemn the actions and for criminals to be “prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
The images emerging from the US Capitol are horrific and show actions that are patently un-American. Every leader who believes in the value and virtue of our nation needs to condemn these actions, and the criminals should be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
— Ben Kieckhefer (@Ben_Kieckhefer) January 6, 2021
Democratic Majority State Senate Leader Nicole Cannizzaro also tweeted, calling others to speak out against the violence and the “disgraceful lies that led to it.” She added the pro-Trump extremists’ actions are an attempt to overturn a fair election.
What is happening at the U.S. Capitol today is un-American, and unacceptable. These rioters’ actions are nothing short of an illegal attempt to overturn a free and fair election. Every elected leader must speak out against this violence and the disgraceful lies that led to it.
— Nicole Cannizzaro (@Nicole4Nevada) January 6, 2021
Former governor and current University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval tweeted the situation is an attempt to hijack the foundation of our democracy.
The situation in Washington, D.C. is a clear attempt to hijack the very foundation of our democracy. I am hoping for the safety of all members of Congress and law enforcement. Our democracy will remain firm. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
— Brian Sandoval (@Pres_Sandoval) January 6, 2021
Lucia Starbuck is a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of the Ground Truth Project.
We need your support to ensure this vital reporting continues. Show your support by making a gift today.
