Following Wednesday’s attack on the U.S. Capitol, several Minnesota lawmakers have spoken out against the violence, and several have called for the removal of President Donald Trump saying he incited the mob that breached the seat of government.
Friday, News Talk 830 WCCO’s Chad Hartman spoke to Minnesota’s 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber who was in Washington for the counting of Elector votes on Wednesday. Stauber recounted what happened as what started as a ceremonial tallying that would certify Joe Biden as the next president became a Constitutional argument for some Republicans and eventually overrun by a mob of protestors.
“I wanted to be present at the historic moment of counting the electoral votes for all 50 states,” Stauber told WCCO. “And that was on the House floor. When the state of Arizona, the third state to be presented, there was an objection. A Senator also objected to it. And at that moment was when Vice President Pence said, OK, now our debate in the Senate and our debate in the House. I had some legislative work that I needed to get done so I was going to watch the debate in my office on C-Span, while I did some work from the Cannon House office building. I got a text from the Capitol Police that you need to shelter, secure in place, and nobody was allowed to move around, and I couldn't get to my office. And shortly thereafter is when we saw what was happening.”
Stauber said it was quickly developing into a terrible situation.
“I was very, very, very concerned, gravely concerned,” Stauber added.
The attack on the Capitol has led to five deaths, including one of the people who broke into the building and was shot by police.
“I was praying for our nation,” says Stauber. “I was praying for our Capitol Police Officers and all the innocent bystanders. I was very, very worried. In fact, yet this afternoon, I'm going to be calling one of my colleagues who was standing next to the Capitol Police Officer who discharged his weapon at the individual that passed away. I want to talk with him and make sure that he knows there's help if he needs it.”
Stauber, who’s district represents Minnesota’s 8th District which contains the Arrowhead region and most of the Northeastern portion of the state, tied what happened Wednesday to some of the other violent protests seen across the country over the last year.
“It was a really, really dark day for the American people, for democracy,” says Stauber. “I think that we unfortunately saw this started, a lot of this started, in in our great city, Minneapolis. Three days of rioting and looting and mob mentality. And the city of Seattle, and then New York City and in Kenosha, Wisconsin. This is not who we are as a as a nation, Chad. We could do better. It's absolutely unacceptable. And every one that broke the law should be held accountable and brought to justice.”
Stauber also put some of the blame at the president’s feet.
“The leader of the Free World has an opportunity immediately,” Stauber said. “He put the decision to the vice president, and I don't know what the delay was, but the leader, our president, had the opportunity. And if the reports that you say are right, that there was a delay like there was in Minneapolis, it’s uncalled for.”
Stauber told WCCO that despite what some Republicans did to support some of Trump’s baseless claims of fraud, he believes states have the power to certify their Elections and Congress had no right to dispute those.
“You know, words matter, right,” Stauber asks. “I think that that especially for the most powerful man in the nation words matter. I was disappointed in the comments. I was disappointed in the comments by some that said that if you don't vote to certify or if you if you vote to object, we want that. But if you vote to certify, as I did because I believe the Constitution demanded of it, that you're going to (lose) the primary. That's unacceptable. That's not how we, as a nation have to act. I believe in, and will always follow the Constitution.”
Stauber also called for support for law enforcement, both in Washington and around the country.
“We have to respect the men and women in law enforcement,” said Stauber who talked to WCCO’s Chad Hartman. “The rule of law peacefully protest, with that being said, was sad for me to see that our Capitol was under attack by these protesters and breaking windows and attacking my colleagues on both sides.”
News Talk 830 WCCO has reached out to all of Minnesota’s national office holders including District 1 Representative Jim Hagedorn, and District 7 Representative Michelle Fishcbach who were the two Republicans who objected to the counting of some Electoral ballots. WCCO is still awaiting responses from both Congressman.
