Capitol Police officers confront supporters of President Donald Trump on Wednesday outside the Senate Chamber at the Capitol.
People shelter in the House gallery Wednesday as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth invoked her Iraq War service while Sen. Richard Durbin referenced Abraham Lincoln during a pair of impassioned speeches Wednesday night condemning President Trump and the Republicans who have sought to undermine the nation’s elections.
The two Illinois Democrats took to the Senate floor to continue a debate over certifying the results of the election — one that was delayed for several hours after Trump loyalists rioted in the U.S. Capitol building, violently clashed with law enforcement officials and vandalized the House and Senate chambers.
Duckworth confronted the moment by mentioning her service in the Iraq War, in which she lost both legs when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
“I earned my wounds, proudly fighting in a war I did not support on the orders of a president I did not vote for, because I believed in — and I still do believe in — the values of our nation. Because I believe in a government of, by and for the people,” Duckworth said. “I have spent my entire life defending our democracy, but I never, never thought it would be necessary to defend it from an attempted violent overthrow in our nation’s own Capitol. Well, I refuse anyone intent on instigating chaos or inciting violence to deter me from carrying out my constitutional duties.”
Duckworth said she and her fellow soldiers took their sworn oath, they didn’t “mutter under our breath that we just pledged only when it served our political interest or help us avoid the wrath of a petty insecure wannabe tin pot dictator on the precipice of losing power and relevance.”
The senator from Hoffman Estates slammed Republican colleagues objecting to the certification of the Electoral College votes and Democrat Joe Biden’s November victory, saying they were “placing more trust in Reddit conspiracy theories than the constitution, proving that appeasing Trump is more important to them than protecting the most basic tenet of our republic — the adherence to free and fair elections.”
In concluding her speech, Duckworth choked up as she alluded to the injuries she suffered in combat.
“I have no tea to throw in Boston harbor tonight, and I regret that I have no rucksack to pack for my country, no Blackhawk to pilot, nor am I asking for any grand gesture from my Republican colleagues,” she said. “All that I’m asking of you is to reflect on the oath that you have sworn, on the damage done to our union today and on the sacrifices made by those who have given so much to this nation.
“Ask yourself whether the democracy they were willing to bleed for, the country each of us in this chamber has sworn to defend is worth damaging in order to protect the porcelain ego of a man who treats your constitution as if it were little more than a yellowing piece of paper,” Duckworth said. “I think we all know the right answer.”
Durbin began his speech by recalling President Abraham Lincoln’s insistence on finishing the construction of the Capitol dome as a “symbol of this country that has survived the Civil War.”
“This is a special place. This is a sacred place, but this sacred place was desecrated by a mob today on our watch,” Durbin said. “What brought this on? Did this mob spring spontaneously from America? No, this mob was invited to come to Washington on this day, by this president for one reason: because he knew the Electoral College vote would be counted this day. He wanted this mob to disrupt the constitutional process. This mob was inspired by a president who cannot accept defeat.”
The senator from Springfield then took several shots at Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz for leading the objection efforts, saying “There is no evidence whatsoever of this rigged election and fraudulence.”
“The vote we’re going to have here is a clear choice of whether we are going to feed the beast of ignorance or if we are going to tell the truth to the American people,” Durbin concluded in urging senators to certify the election. “We saw that beast today roaming the halls. Let’s not invite it back.”
In the end, Cruz was one of six senators who voted in favor of a procedural motion seeking to undermine election results. Duckworth and Durbin were among 93 Democrats and Republicans who voted no.
IN THEIR WORDS: Midwest elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
Elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn America’s presidential election and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.
Here's how elected officials in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin reacted to the situation.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Democrat
"I’m disgusted watching the violence playing out inside and around the Capitol," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said in a social media post. "First and foremost, I pray for the safety of our first responders, elected officials, staff and the public.
"This violence is abhorrent and is nothing like what the founders envisioned for this nation. The peaceful transition of power is a bedrock of our democracy. It is sacred and must be protected.
"Donald Trump has incited a violent coup attempt. And his enablers share responsibility for this, pure and simple."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Channahon
As supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted: "This is a coup attempt."
He then responded to a tweet by President Donald Trump, who said: "Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!"
Kinzinger responded: "You are not protecting the country. Where is the DC guard? You are done and your legacy will be a disaster."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, Republican of Peoria
"I have always fought for the right to peacefully protest, but there is a stark difference between protesting and rioting," LaHood tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "Lawlessness is never an acceptable answer. This must end now.
"Thank you to Capitol Police and law enforcement for working to keep people safe."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, Republican of Murphysboro
Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, Republican of Taylorville
"This is a sad day for our country," U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, said on Twitter. "The lawlessness has got to stop. Protestors must leave the Capitol so Congress can resume the process of confirming the Electoral College vote. My staff and I are currently safe. More to say later."
Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, said in an interview with NBC News that she was evacuated from the Capitol and is safe with a couple of her staff members.
“I never in my wildest dreams would I think Americans would do this,” she said.
Duckworth said she supports peaceful protest but “this is a mob. This is a riot.” She said the mob following “the will of a wannabe tin-pot dictator.”
On Twitter, she said: “I have spent my entire adult life defending our Constitution and people’s rights to peacefully demonstrate. I never thought I’d need to defend democracy from an attempted, violent overthrow in our own nation’s Capitol. I will not yield to those who seek to harm our democracy.”
Indiana U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, Democrat of Indianapolis
"Everything that's happening in DC today — from the political theater inside the Capitol, to the unruly protests outside of it — is an insult to our Democracy," U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis, wrote on Twitter. "Congress is here to serve the people. The people chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and we must uphold their choice."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, Republican of Elkhart
"Every American has the right to exercise their First Amendment rights, but violence and destruction are never the answer," U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, said on Twitter. "Stop these attacks on our country now and keep the protests peaceful. Grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police for protecting everyone in our Capitol."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Republican of Columbia City
"Peaceful protest is healthy, but what is happening at the U.S. Capitol right now is unacceptable and un-American," U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, said on Twitter. "Those participating in lawlessness and violence must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, Republican of Evansville
"Supporters of Donald Trump please stand down and leave the Capitol," U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville, said on Twitter. "I do not condone any form of violence. A peaceful protest is your Constitutional right but what is happening now is not lawful. It is un-American."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, Republican of Jeffersonville
"The day started with democracy at the Capitol, people debating and asserting the views of millions of Americans," U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville, wrote on Twitter. "But what happened this afternoon at the Capitol is not democracy and not reflective of the ideals we hold so dear. There is no space in our system of government for violence or vandalism, and none should be tolerated here or anywhere in our great land."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, Republican of Noblesville
"We are a country of laws and the lawlessness in and around the U.S. Capitol today is unacceptable," Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz said on Twitter. "The actions of those who have stormed the Capitol only hurt their cause. Please let the democratic process play out peacefully."
Indiana U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Republican
"What we’re seeing at the Capitol is wrong, hurts the cause of election integrity, and needs to stop immediately," U.S. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana wrote on Twitter. "Rioting and violence are never acceptable."
Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young, Republican
"In America we have a right to peacefully protest, but what has occurred today goes against everything we stand for as a nation," U.S. Sen. Todd Young said on Twitter. "This is not a peaceful protest – it is violence and it is reprehensible. This must stop."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, Republican of Glenbeulah
Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman told the Wisconsin State Journal he wants to see more leadership from Trump to call off the protests, and wants the certification of Biden's win to "wrap up" as soon as possible, potentially without all members of Congress being present. Shortly afterward, Trump posted a short video on Twitter in which he again baselessly claimed he won the election but urged protesters to "go home."
Grothman declined to say whether he supported the objections to Biden's win but added that the certification is largely ceremonial and should be treated as such by Trump's supporters.
"I think it's important there be a little more leadership here, and I wish the president would get on TV and do what he can to encourage people to disperse," Grothman said. "I think people for whatever motivation have implied that this day, which is normally a day for perfunctory ceremony, is going to be a day of great significance, and that I think is irresponsible."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Democrat of Milwaukee
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, Democrat of Madison
Some Wisconsin Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, put the blame on Republicans for encouraging the protests and slammed Trump for "inciting domestic terrorism."
"Remember "stand back & stand by"? We saw this violent fascism coming, and the GOP encouraged it," Pocan said, referring to Trump's comments during the campaign when he sidestepped calling out the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, Republican of Green Bay
"This is banana republic crap that we’re watching happen right now," Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher said, while also condemning fellow Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who planned to object to the outcome of the election.
"The objectors over the last two days have told me, 'There is no problem with just having a debate. We know we’re not going to succeed, so we’re just going to object; we’re going to have a debate, we’ll voice people’s concerns and then we won’t actually overturn our entire system of representative government so nothing bad will happen. There will be no cost to this effort,'" Gallagher said. "This is the cost of this effort."
Gallagher told CBS News he believes Congress doesn't have the power to overturn the election, as Trump has repeatedly called for since he lost in November.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, Democrat of La Crosse
Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Kind spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon, denouncing the chaos erupting at the Capitol in the wake of Congress's confirmation of the election.
The 12-term representative from La Crosse called it a "sad day," but said he was not surprised by the events unfolding.
"I ask my colleagues — who for months now have spread lies about the integrity of the ballot box, unfounded accusations lacking any evidence or facts about voter fraud in this election — what did they expect the reaction to be?" he said.
"They have unleashed dark forces in our society now who think that this is entirely appropriate to attempt a coup d'état of our government because of what they've been led to believe," Kind said.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Republican of Minocqua
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was joining with Johnson in objecting to the results, said during a phone interview that he was in the House chamber as debate was ongoing.
“And then all hell broke loose," Tiffany said. He was escorted to a safe location.
Although those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday were Trump supporters, Tiffany, one of Trump's staunchest supporters, said both Democrats and Republicans need to urge calm among their supporters. He pointed to the sometimes violent protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody last May and the shooting of another Black man, Jacob Blake, in August by police in Kenosha.
“What needs to happen is people on both sides of the aisle, they need to start calling this out and make people stop it," Tiffany said.
Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said he planned to object to at least some states' electoral votes for Joe Biden, perpetuating baseless claims of election fraud that have in part caused the very protest that descended on the Capitol building.
On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson called for demonstrators to disperse.
"Please, if you are in or around the Capitol, respect law enforcement and peacefully disperse," Johnson tweeted.
