'One of the darkest days in American history': Local officials react to breaching of US Capitol
WASHINGTON DC (WABC) -- Politicians and officials from the Tri-State area are responding to the pro-Trump mob breaching the Capitol in Washington D.C.
Some were even at the scene where the chaos took place.
Congressmember Grace Meng was in a small room off the house chambers, with another member of Congress.
"I heard a lot of stomping and shouting and chanting right outside my door and I was really confused," Meng said. "I turned on the TV and I happened to see that they were marching right past the room that I was in. I got real nervous because it just looked really chaotic and I didn't know what they had on them. They were shouting a bunch of things, but what was loudest and easiest to understand was USA, USA."
So she stacked chairs, barricaded the door, turned off the lights and TV and hunkered down for more than five hours.
"I actually texted my family and some of my close friends just to say I love them," Meng said.
Congressmember Mondaire Jones was on the house floor.
"My life literally flashed before my eyes," Jones said. "There was a very loud banging sound behind me. I was sitting towards the back, next to other members of Congress. And it was clear there was no security separating the people banging on the door."
Rep. Tom Suozzi said officials were even told to go under their chairs.
"There were gas masks underneath the chairs," he said. "There was some piece of furniture put up to blockade one of the house doors. The doors were all locked. I don't know what it was coming through the windows but one of the windows of the house doors was broken. And pistols were drawn by capitol police."
Others took to social media to express their sadness and outrage.
Governor Andrew Cuomo released the following statement:
"The cornerstone of our democracy is the peaceful transfer of power," he said. "We must call this what it actually is: a failed attempt at a coup. This is the final chapter of an incompetent, cruel, and divisive administration that has trampled on the Constitution and the rule of law at every turn, and we won't let President Trump, the members of Congress who enable him, or the lawless mob that stormed our nation's Capitol steal our democracy. The election results are clear and the will of the American people will be carried out."
Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Lt Gov Kathy Hochul
"It's more than an assault on the Capitol building. It's an assault on democracy and America itself. Domestic terrorists who undermine our free and fair elections and attempt to sabotage the peaceful transfer of power must be brought to justice."
Sen. Chuck Schumer
"It is very, very difficult to put into words what has transpired today. I have never lived through or even imagined an experience like the one we have just witnessed in this Capitol. President Franklin Roosevelt set aside December 7th, 1941 as a date that will live in 'infamy.' Unfortunately, we can now add January 6th, 2021 to that very short list of dates in American history that will live, forever, in infamy."
Congresswoman Grace Meng
"Today was supposed to be a day to carry out our solemn Constitutional duties, as duly elected Members of Congress, to certify the electoral college results. Instead, what the world saw was an assault on the most sacred, hallowed grounds of our Democracy - a symbol of the world's oldest Democracy. This was a vile attack made by insurrectionists - in the name of a sitting President. Never have I been more enraged and terrified, as I was today. I was barricaded inside the Capitol with a colleague, just steps away from a rioting mob as they marched through terrorizing and defiling our People's House.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio
Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney
"Today is a sad and infuriating day. We thank the Capitol Police and the staff many of whom were in real danger. I was on the House Floor when protesters attempted to enter. We evacuated and are safe. The President and his enablers have incited this violence. It must stop. We will return to the House Floor as soon as the building is secured and finish the job given to us by the Constitution."
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr.
"This attempted coup is treasonous, incited directly by Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans. "
Rep. Jamaal Bowman
"Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check in. Myself and my staff are safe and sheltering. What we saw today was an attempted coup, fueled by white supremacy and a fascist in the White House-the logical extension of our failure to reconcile our history. This IS America. As a start, we must remove Trump from office immediately. Then we must get to work to pursue a mission of truth and reconciliation with our country's racist and violent past and present."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
"My staff and I are in a secure location and are safe. Today's events are disgraceful but will not change the fact that Joe Biden will be the President of the United States on January 20."
Rep. Mikie Sherrill
"Thanks to everyone who has reached out and expressed your concern. I was in the Chamber as people attempted to breach it. The Capitol Police barricaded the doors and we sheltered in place. Once we had a secure exit, we left the Capitol and I am now in a secure location. This has been an obscene attack on our democracy, but we will prevail."
Rep. Lee Zeldin
"This should never be the scene at the US Capitol. This is not the America we all love. We can debate and we can disagree, even on a January 6th following a Presidential election. We can all passionately love our country, but in our republic we elect people to represent us to voice our objections in the House and Senate on this day. Additionally, there must be ZERO tolerance for violence in any form! It is very important now for everyone to please cooperate with Capitol Police who need to gain control of this situation immediately."
NYC Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Rep. Andrew Garbarino
"I am safe and so is my staff. Resorting to violence and disobeying law enforcement is never the answer, no matter which side of the aisle you are on. This is un-American. We are a country of law and order. I'm praying for the soul of our nation."
Congressman Jerry Nadlert
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
NYPD on the situation, according to police sources
"We are closely monitoring the situation in DC. At this time, there is no connectivity between the events unfolding in Washington and anything in NYC. "
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran
"For hundreds of years, the peaceful transition of power has been a foundation of our Country. It doesn't matter who you voted for - violence like what we are seeing in Washington today should never be accepted in a free society. This is not about politics, this is about safety, freedom and decency. I am lending my voice in support of law enforcement who are keeping everyone safe."
RELATED: Stunning videos show chaos as pro-Trump protesters breach Capitol
Rep. Jeff Van Drew
"What is happening at the Capitol is unacceptable, un-American, and disrepectful of democracy. The debate many protestors have been asking for was happening today and because of these actions it was abruptly ended. Everyone has the right to peacefully protest but what happened today was not peaceful or productive. Today's debate was about the rule of law and by harming police officers, being violent, and breaking into a Federal building, the rule of law was broken. I ask that the President reach out and ask the protestors to leave the Capitol building immediately."
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza
"I condemn this violence, and vow that we will never stop teaching New York City's children the true meaning of democracy. My @NYCSchools colleagues and I have spent our lives educating children and preparing them to contribute to their communities & country. My heart breaks to know what our children are seeing today: violent assault on people, property, the rule of law, and our democracy itself."
US Senator Cory Booker of NJ
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis
Sen. Bob Menendez
REALTED: Lockdown interrupts joint session to confirm Biden's win as Trump supporters storm Capitol Hill
----------
