Pro-Trump protestors turned violent as they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. | stock photo
Pro-Trump protestors turned violent as they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. | stock photo
After a recent protest that turned violent at the U.S. Capitol, many have voiced concern over how deeply divided the country is and how little they believe President Donald Trump has done to quell his supporters.
U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Grand Rapids) took to Twitter to condemn the continued opposition to the November election results, demanding that Trump acknowledge former Vice President Joe Biden as president-elect.
“Unacceptable. Enough,” Meijer posted to Twitter. “Acknowledge Biden as President-Elect and end this madness. Violent rioters laid siege to the nation’s Capitol in an act of insurrection unparalleled in modern times. This is not leadership.”
U.S. Rep Peter Meijer
| LinkedIn
U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.) was in the Capitol during the attack, according to Bridge Michigan. He expressed particular concern over Trump’s messaging surrounding the events, which Levin felt appeared to encourage rather than dissuade the protesters.
"I've experienced a lot of tear gas," Levin told Bridge Michigan. "But I did not expect as a member of Congress to have people try to violently interrupt the workings of our democracy. It's a super sad day.”
The Michigan Freedom Fund, self-described as “committed to the principles of limited government, transparency in government and the freedoms found in the Constitution,” posted a statement to its website calling for Trump and fellow Republicans who have claimed election fraud to speak up about the actions of the angry mob in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6.
“The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by President Trump’s supporters is heartbreaking and it is criminal,” said Tony Daunt, Freedom Fund executive director, according to the organization's website. “The Michigan Freedom Fund strongly supports the work of law enforcement and the National Guard to reclaim the seat of government from this lawless mob.”
Daunt said that Trump and other Republicans who have been led to believe that the election was stolen bear "an outsized responsibility" for preventing future violence.
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