Santa will come to order the chaplain doctor like will open the Santa or prayer
Let us pray
Almighty God
Have compassion on us with your unfailing love
As our lawmakers prepare to formally certify the votes
Cast by the Electoral College be present with them
Guide our legislators with your wisdom and Truth
As we speak to meet the requirements of the United States
Constitution board Inspire them to see
This opportunity to demonstrate to the nation and world
How the Democratic process can be done properly
And in an orderly manner help them to remember
That history is a faithful stenographer
So are you we pray in your Sovereign name
Will you please
Join me in the pledge I pledge allegiance
Show me the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible
What is the previous order the leadership Thomas reserves under the previous or the Senate will be happier to morning business percenters permitted to speak there in 4
SEPTA 10 minutes each chair lays before the Senate communication the secretary of the Senate regarding a message
From the president receive during the German of the Senate on Tuesday January 5 mm
21 the president of the United States sent by messenger the attached sealed envelope addressed to the president of the Senate
Did January 5 2021 set to contain a message regarding additional steps addressing the threat posed by a
Applications and other software developed or controlled by Chinese companies the Senate not being in session on the day which the pro
President delivered the message I accepted the message on at 5 p.m. and I now present to you the president's message with you
Company papers for disposition by the Senate respectfully Julie Adams Secretary of the Senate
Mr. president Centerville Iowa
Is due for a second reading time
11 a builder provide an exception to a limitation against appointments of persons as secretary
Defense within seven years of relief from active duty as a regular commissioned officer of the Armed Forces
In order to play mr. president or to place the bill on the counter under the provisions of rule
14 I would have checked the further reading Jackson have
And then heard the bill be placed my calendar
There's a bill at the Destin I asked for its first reading clerk over the title the bill for
For the first time s13a Bill to establish an advisory committee to make recommendations on improving
To the security integrity and administration of federal elections
President I now ask for a second reading and in order to place the bill on the counter under the provisions of
Rule 14 I object to my own request
Jackson haven't heard bill will receive its second reading in the next legislative day
What are the provisions of s Conrad's one the cinema
Now proceed as a body to the Hall of the House of Representatives for the counting of the Electoral ballot
The Senate will come to order
Pursuant to S conres 1 and section 17 of title 3 Unite
Added States code when the two houses withdraw from The Joint session to count the electoral vote
Four separate consideration of an objection a senator may speak to the objection for 5 minutes
And not more than once debate shall not exceed two hours after which the chair will
Put the question shall the objection be sustained the clerk will report
The objection made in the joint session representative gosar from Arizona
Consider cruising others we a member of the House of Representatives and the United States Senator object to the counting of the electoral votes
The State of Arizona on the grounds that they were not under all of the known circumstances regularly given
Majority Leader is unanimous consent of the majority leader in the Democratic leader
Allowed to speak and then following their remarks and majority leader in the Democratic leader each control up to 1 hour.
Debate debate time and be authorized to yield up to 5 minutes of that time
Spanish letter seeking recognition
Excitement into the record is their objection
Without objection so ordered
Geordie later we're debating a step
That has never been taken in American history whether Congress should over
Marula voters and overturn a presidential election
Absurd 36 years in the Senate
This will be the most important vote I've ever cast
President Trump claims the election was stolen the assertions range from
Pacific local allegations to constitutional arguments
The sweeping conspiracy theories
I supported the president's right to use the legal system.
The lawsuits received hearings and courtrooms all across our country
But I went over the court rejected these claims
Including All Star judges and the president himself is Domino's
Every election we know feature senamhi like
Holiday and irregularity and of course that's unacceptable
I support strong State lead voting reforms last year's Bazaar
Pandemic procedures must not become the new Norm
But my colleagues nothing before us proves illegality any
We're near the massive scale the massive scale
That would have tipped the entire election
Norton public doubt alone justify a radical break
When the doubt itself was inside without any of it
The Constitution gives us here on Congress a limited role
We cannot simply declare ourselves and National Board of Elections on steroids
The voters the courts and the stage
Have all spoke
The ball spoken
If we overrule them it would damage our Republic
This election actually was not unusually close
Justin recent history 1976 2000
And 2004 were all closer than this one the Electoral College
Margin is almost identical to what it was and why
2016 overturned
By mere allegations from the losing side are democracy
Madera death spiral
Would never see the whole nation except at election again
Every four years would be a Scramble for power at any cost
Electoral college
But most of us on this side of been defending for years which cease to exist
Leaving many of our stage with no real say at all in choosing
The effects would go even beyond the election
Self-government my colleagues requires
Shared commitment to the truth and a shared respect
Are the ground rules of our system
We cannot keep drifting apart into two separate tribes
With a separate set of facts and separate reality
With nothing in common except our hostility towards each other and mistrust for the few Nashua
Institutions that we all feel share
Every time every time in the last 30 years that Democrats are lost
The presidential race of try to challenge just like this
After 2000 after 2004 after 2016
After 2004 Senator joined and force the same debate
And believe it or not Democrats like Harry Reid Dick Durbin and Hillary Clinton praise praise them and apply
Lauded the stunt Republicans condemned
That we just spent 4 years condemning Democrats shameful attacks on the validity of President Trump
Election
So what there can be no double standard
The media that is outraged today spent 4 years aiding and abetting
Democrats attacks on our institutions after they lost
But we must not imitate an Escalade what re
Repudiate
Our duty is to govern for the public good United States setup has a higher calling
Been an endless spiral of partisan vengeance
Congress will either override the voters overruling the voters the stage
And the courts for the first time ever or honor the people's decision
Lomita guarantee Democrats delegitimizing efforts after 2016.
Become a permanent new routine for both sides
Or declare that our nation deserves a lot better than us
Leader hasten down the poisonous path where only the winners of election actually accept the
Or shall we can still muster the Patriotic courage that are for
Showed not only in Victory but into feed
The framers built the sun it to stop short-term passion from boiling over and melting
The foundations of our Republic so I believe
Protecting our constitutional order requires respecting the limits
Tyrone Power it would be unfair and wrong to distance
Disenfranchised American voters and overrule the courts and the states
All this extraordinarily fan bases
And I will not pretend such a vote would be a harmless protest gesture
While relying on others to do the right thing
How about to respect the people's decision and defend our system of government
As we know it it later
Mr. president vice president
As prescribed by the Constitution and the laws of the nation the purpose of this joint session is for
Tellers appointed on a bipartisan basis by the two houses to read
Did the congress the results of an election that is already happened we are here to receive an inn
Announcement of a boat that is already been certified by every state in the Union and can
Confirmed by the courts many times many times over
We're here to watch the current vice-president open envelopes and received the news of the verdict
That is already been rendered it is a solemn and a gust occasion
No doubt but it is a formality the Congress does not determine the out
Outcome of Elections the people do the Congress is not endowed with the power to administer
Are elections are states are given that power by the end of the proceedings to
Today it will be confirmed once again something that is well known and well settle
The American people elected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
To be the next president and vice president of the United States
And yet a number of our colleagues have organized an effort to undermine an object to that
Free and fair election they are in the minority they will lose
They know that they have no evidence of widespread voter fraud upon which to base their wood
Objections that's because there is none there is none
I bought before any of the courts successfully they know that President Trump
His allies have suffered the defeat of the feed-in in court after court
Across the country losing no fewer than 60 to Legal challenges
And I might add many republican-appointed judges some appointed by President Trump rendered those decisions
They know you all know
At Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are going to be sworn in as President and Vice
Vice President of the United States on January 20th
To objective the counting of the vote anyway and in the process they will
Embarrass themselves
They will embarrass their party
And worst of all they will embarrass their country
This Insurrection was fortunately discouraged by the leadership of
The majority party but it was not quilt it is a very sad comment on our time
Times that merely accepting the results of an election is considered an active political
Cartridge Saturn more dangerous still is the fact that an element of the Republican Party
Believe their political viability hinges on the endorsement of an attempted coup
That anyone
Much less an elected official would be willing to tarnish our democracy in order to
Burnish their personal political fortunes
Over the course of the afternoon and however far into the evening this band of Republican of
Injectors wants to take US senators of Goodwill from both sides of the aisle
We'll explain why these challenges must be dismissed
Senators from States whose electoral votes are being challenged will explain how the allegations
Fraud are baseless and a substantial bipartisan majority must vote
To put down these objections and defend the sanctity of our elections and indeed I did
Indeed are great and Grand democracy because that
That's what we're talking about today the health of our democracy
It's wonderful beautiful Grand democracy with a peaceful passing of the torch is extol
By schoolchildren the second grade but not buy some here
As we speak half of our voters are being conditioned by the outgoing president
The believe that when his party loses an election the results must not be
Legitimate as we speak the eyes of the world are on this chamber
America is still the shining example of democracy to shining sea
City on the hill
What message we send today what message will we send today to RPI
People to the world that has so looked up to us for centuries
What message will we send two fledgling democracies who study our constitution mirror our laws
Housing traditions in the hopes that they too can build a country ruled by the consent of the go
Stubborn what message will we send to those countries with Democratic Values around
Result and look to us to see if those values are still worth 5
Fighting for what message will we send to every dark corner the world
We're human rights or betrayed elections are stolen human dignity denied
What will we show those people will we show
Those people that there's a better way to ensure Liberty and opportunity of you
Humankind sadly small band of Republican of Jack
Factors May darken the view of our democracy today but a larger group
Senators and house members from both sides of the aisle can send a message to
The Democracy that democracy beats deep in the hearts of our citizens in our elected representatives
Candidates that we are a country of laws and if not men that our Traditions are not so easily.
Discarded
Even by our president
Backpacks man
The truth matters that while democracy allows free speech and free expression
Even if that expression is anti-democratic there will always always be praise God
A far broader and stronger Coalition ready to push back and defend everything
We hold dear we can send that message today by voting and large and
An overwhelming numbers to defeat these objections my colleagues
Each wuornos just three days ago that we would defend and support the country
Katusha of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic
That we would bear true faith and allegiance to the same
We swore that we took this obligation freely without any mental reservation
For purpose of evasion and that we could well and Faithfully discharge the duties of the office
We were about to enter so help us God the precise word
Otto will shortly written after the Civil War when the idea of Truth
Faith and allegiance to this country and its Constitution to Connie normous meaning
Let those words let those words ringing in the ears of every
Senator today let us do our duty as a sport to support
And defend the Constitution of the United States Soho
Help us God
Majority Leader are you adopted five minutes is the senator from Texas under Cruise
This President we gather together
At a moment of great Tradition at a moment of great passion
We have seen and no doubt will continue to see a great deal of moralizing from both sides
Sides of the aisle but I would urge to both sides perhaps
Bit less certitude and a bit more recognition that weird
Gathered at a time when democracy is in crisis recent pay
Polling shows that 39% of Americans believe the election that just occurred
Quote was richt you may not agree with that assessment
But it is nonetheless a reality for nearly half the country I would notice
It is not just Republicans who believe that 31% of Independence
Agree with that statement 17% of Democrats believe
Lead the election was ripped even if you do not share that conviction
It is the responsibility I believe this office to acknowledge that is a profound threat to this country
Into the legitimacy of any administration's that will come in the future
Want to take a moment to speak my Democratic colleagues I understand your guy is
Winning right now if Democrats vote as a Bloc Joe Biden will almost
Certainly be certified as the next president of the United States
I want to speak to the Republicans who are considering voting against these objections I understand you
You're concerned but I urge you to pause and think what does it say to the nearly half
The country that believes this election was rigged if we vote not even to consider
Bitter the claims of illegality and fraud in this election
And I believe there's a better way the leaders just spoke about setting aside the election let me be clear I am not
Not arguing for setting aside the result of this election all of us are faced with two choices both of which are
Your lousy one choice is vote against the objection and tens of millions of Americans will see a vote
Against the objections as a statement that voter fraud doesn't matter isn't real and shouldn't be taken seriously
A great many of us don't believe that on the other hand most if not all
All of us believe we should not set aside the results of that election just because our candidate may not have prevail
And so I am Deborah to look for door number three a third option in for that I look to history to the Preston
The 1876 election the hayes-tilden election where this Congress appointed
Electoral commission to examine claims of voter fraud five house members five Senators five
Supreme Court Justices examine the evidence and render to judgment and what aisle
This body is that we do the same that we appointed electoral commission to conduct a
10-day emergency audit consider the evidence and resolve the clay
Claims for those on the Democratic Iowa who says say there is no evidence they've been rejected then you should rest in Comfort
If that's the case at electoral commission would reject those claims
For those who respect the voters simply telling the voters go jump in a lake the fact
But you have deep concerns is of no moment to us
That jeopardizes I believe the legitimacy of this and subsequent
Elections the Constitution gives to Congress the responsibility this day
To count the votes the framers knew what they were doing when they gave responsibilities to Congress
We have a responsibility
And I would urge that we follow the precedent of 1877 the Electoral count act explicit
Italy allows objection such as this one for boats that were not regularly given and let me be clear
This objection is for the State of Arizona but it is broader than that it is an objection for all six of the contestant
States that have a credible objective impartial body hear the evidence
And make a conclusive determination that would benefit both
Besides that wouldn't prove legitimacy of this election and salemme orange my colleagues
All of us take our responsibilities seriously
I would urge my colleagues don't take perhaps the easy path but instead Act
Together us Stanish the viewers and act in a bipartisan sense to say we will have a key
Credible and fair tribunal consider the claims consider the fact consider the evidence and
Make a conclusive determination whether and to what extent this election complied with the Constitution
And with federal law
Senator for Minnesota present I first would like say appreciate other words of our leader
Center Schumer as well as Senator McConnell's call for a higher calling January 6th and 7th
Typically a day of historical significance for a country for centuries this day is simply the day that we
We received each state-certified electoral votes and it has come and Gone without much fan
And fair in fact this is only the third time in a hundred twenty years that the Senate is gathered to debate and if
Jackson and is Senator Cruz well knows both times he's objections were resounding we defeated the last
Time to vote was 74 to 1 why because Senators have long believed that they should not
Mess around with the will of the people they have understood the words of our great former calling
John McCain from the state of Arizona who once said that nothing in life is more liberating than to
Fight For A Cause larger than yourself in this case my colleagues are cause despite
Our political differences is to preserve our American democracy to preserve our Republic because
Someone once said long ago it's a republic if you can keep it no
I appreciate all my Democratic and Republican colleagues who have joined our ranks of Khufu
Fighters who have stood up for our democracy who Stand Tall for our Republic and who believe
Even an ideal greater than ourselves larger than our political parties that idea is America
And Senator Cruz he knows this on January 20th Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Will be sworn in as president vice president United States he knows that president-elect buying one more boats and any
President history and more than seven million more votes than President Trump despite the unfounded
Faricy Theory Senator Cruz how he knows that high-ranking officials in President Trump's own
On Homeland Security Department of concluded that the 2020 election was quote the most secure
Cure in American history and if he wants to improve the numbers in his own party that
You just mention of people believing in our election maybe he should start Consulting with them or maybe he should start consult
Open with former Attorney General Barr who said that he has found no evidence of widespread fraud
In the 2020 election we don't have to go back to 1877 my calling
Senator Cruz knows that 80 judges including conservative judges including judges confirmed
In this chamber nominated by President Trump has thrown out these lawsuit calling them baseless
Inadequate and Country both to the play meeting of the Constitutional tax and Common Sense and he
He knows that all 10 living defense secretaries including both of Trump's defense secretary Dick Cheney.
Donald Rumsfeld William Cohen he knows that all these leaders have come together to say that these scurrilous attacks on Arden
Democracy must stop and we must allow for a peaceful transition of power Senator Sinema
Am I will fill you in on the specific facts as to why this election was sound and true in Arizona
But a summary President Trump receive 1661686 V
Interstate president-elect Biden 1-1000000 670 2140
3 boat meaning that he won the states by 10457 vote on November
30th after Arizona's Republican Governor the Secretary State the attorney General and the
Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court certified the results of the election the governor
Actually said we do elections well here in Arizona the system is strong
Each post-election lawsuits brought in Arizona to challenge the results were dismissed by judges nine members
The house from Arizona were elected in the same election including four Republicans and colleagues
I did not see Senator Cruz over at their swearing-in in the House of Representative last Sunday asking for
For an audit he did not stop their swearing-in because there was no fraud
And he did not ask for an audit because we had a fair election I will end with this
My friend Roy blunt my fellows rules committee leader many years ago found a statue
The bust of a man at the top of a bookcase he did research he went to the historians and all he could find
Was that no one knew who this guy was except that he was a cleric hence the statue is
It's called The Unknown cleric now at the time our leaders thought this man important enough that
That they would warrant a statue for him but today no one knows who he is
Senator wants message to school kids and Senators alike that visit his office when he shows them the statue
What we do here is more important than who we are Senators what Matt
Matters is not our Future's not our own short-term Destiny's what matters is
Democracy's Destiny because I think many of us know that people will not know who we are a hundred
Years from now or 200 years from now but what they will know is this they will know what
We did today how we voted today and that is more important than Who We Are
It's a republic if we can keep it thank you mr. president are you before
Charlie later
Senator from Pennsylvania thank you mr. president and I intend later to address the specifics of
Pennsylvania if and when an objection was raised with regard to Pennsylvania for now I want to address my
Remarks to what I think is the fundamental question being posed by the objectors and that is just
Congress have the Constitutional authority to decide which states electoral college
College votes should be counted and which should not based on how well we think they ran their lie
Elections this is what the objectors are really asking us to do to Federal eyes elections
By rejecting Electoral College votes from States whose processes they say they disapprove of
And thereby having Congress select the president of the United States instead of the America
Can people dancer mr. president is no there is no such Authority Under the Constitution
Constitution assigns to the states the responsibility to conduct of Elections it's clear
Article 2 Section 1 at least courts with the responsibility to adjudicate disputes and it's signs to car
Congress the ministerial function of counting ballots except for extreme circumstances such as when a stay
State sends competing slates of electors to Congress which brings me to the 18th
77 president some objectives claim to merely want a commission to conduct an audit and then let States decide
Whether to send different electors will first the situations are not at all analogous in 18
In 77 Congress had before it two slates of electors from several States here there are no
Trump electors from swing States there's just fine the electors second legislators
From the swing States they've already spoken they made their decision they chosen not to send us alternative electric
Third a commission really completely impractical and we all know it with 14 days to go
Go before I constitutionally-mandated inauguration but look at it this way if the objectors are right in
It really is congress's job to just sit in judgment on the worthiness of the states electoral processes
What's the criteria for acceptable election process these investigations have been conducted of these process
What body has Dean that certain States processes are unacceptable what opportunities were these states given to check
Challenge the findings why are the objectives objecting only to swing states that President Trump lost what about the ones
Do you want North Carolina what about California they have ballot harvesting Untold
This is all supposed to be congress's job you think we have answers to these questions and procedures in place because we would have done
Is every four years right but we don't because it's not our job
Adopters new president that we sit in Judgment of States processes then we're federalizing the election law
Would necessarily have to establish the permissible criteria and rules for the states elections
Harvesting example it's illegal in some states it's encouraged and others does it become mandatory or forbidden depending on who
Who's in control of Congress and its the leader point out it would be the end of the Electoral College
The Electoral College is the mechanism by which the people select the president but if Congress gets to decide which they
States get the boat in the Electoral College then clearly Congress is selecting the president not the people
Whichever party controls both houses of Congress would control the presidency the public would never tolerate Congress pic
Taking the president's state of themselves so late abolish the Electoral College as many of our colleagues would like to do
And the end of the Electoral College of course means the nation will be governed by a handful of big blue States and regions
They can drum up very large numbers but the president Constitution does not assign to Congress the respond
Possibility to judge the worthiness of state election process nor its adherence
To its rules that's the responsibility of the states in the courts let me conclude with this
How did President Trump I publicly endorsed President Trump I campaigned for President Trump I did not
Not want Joe Biden to win this election there's something more important to me than having my
I preferred candidate sworn in as the next president and that's to have the American people's shows
Candidate sworn-in as an ex-president a fundamental defining feature of a democratic
Republic is the right of the people to elect their own leaders it's now our dude it's our responsibility
To ensure that that right is respected in this election and preserved for future elections I heard you
Vote against his objections
Democratic leader
State of Arizona senator Sinema senator from Arizona
Today to share the facts about Arizona's recent election enter urge my colleagues to step away
From divisive political rhetoric and step towards renewing Americans faith in our democracy
The 2020 Arizona election was a success not for anyone party or individual
What is a demonstration of the will of the voters a record 80% of register
Voters participated thanks to local Arizona election officials who ensured our system worked and
Arizona has offered early voting for more than 100 years
On our vote by mail system includes strict safeguards
Mechanisms and tamper-resistant envelopes election staff are trained to authenticate signatures
An Arizona imposes severe criminal punishments for ballot tampering
Arizona elections produced bipartisan results in which members of both parties One races
And these results have been confirmed by stakeholders across the political Spectrum the Republican
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors said no matter how you voted this election was administered with
Integrity transparency and in accordance with Arizona state laws the Republicans
Speaker of the Arizona State House rejected calls for the legislature to overturn the election
Sing as a Conservative Republican I don't like the results of the presidential election but I can
Cannot and will not entertain his suggestion that we violate current law to change the outcome
Eight challenges contesting the Arizona election were brought to federal and state courts
All 800 North dismissed including a unanimous ruling by the Arizona
The Supreme Court the Chief Justice wrote The Challenge Fails to present any evidence of
Conduct or illegal votes let alone with any degree of fraud or sufficient error rate
Would undermine the certainty of the election results
The former director of cybersecurity and infrastructure security did he find any evidence
Disputing Integrity or fairness of Arizona's election his answer was simple no
Arizona an AR-15 County's should be congratulated for running a secure election
Perhaps the most heartening demonstration of Arizona's election success is Jocelyn from Phoenix
Jocelyn 18 years old and was a first-time voter in 2020 so was Rachel from 2
And thousands more arizonans who for the first time exercise their constitutional right
To decide their own leaders today's challenge to Arizona's election fails any
Factual analysis more disturbingly it seeks to Rob Jocelyn and Rachel
And More Than 3 million arizonans of a free Fair election
Trusted with elected office are first and foremost public servants we serve Arkansas
Kitchellence we do not seek to substitute our personal Ambitions for the will of the American people
Our system allows for a continuous contest of ideas and those voters who support the loose
Missing side of a free Fair election have not been disenfranchised rather they maintain
Just as important a voice and America's future and leaders have a duty to serve all
All of our constituents including those who voted for other candidates great leaders
History face the choice of whether to take an action strengthening our democracy even if a different action
Would better serve their political Ambitions many are revered today because they chose our Republic
Over their self-interest including my personal hero Senator John McCain
Following his presidential loss center McCain said the American people have spoken senator
Obama and I have argued our differences and he has prevailed whatever our differences
We are fellow Americans he spoke to the nearly 60 million Americans who voted for him staying
It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment but tomorrow
We must move Beyond it and work together to get our country moving again
McCain was right today we have serious significant work to do beating this pants
And Reviving our economy my colleagues to follow the example of Senator John
McCain and so many others reject this meritless Challenge and uphold the will
Of Arizona voters thank you
Who's President minutes to the senator from Oklahoma Centerline
America we settle our differences and elections what happens if you don't
Trust the election count we are concerned that so many quarts denied or dismiss cases within hours after they were
Given thousands of pages of evidence the reason we have a Congress to settler Nations divisions in the rules
Of the senate make sure that every opinion in the nation is heard is so issues like this can be addressed
The Constitutional crisis in our country right now is that millions of Americans are being told to sit down
Down and shut up their opinions matter
During the Electoral Challenge on January 6th 2005 Senator Ted Kennedy stood on this floor
Instead this he said I commend the many thousands of citizens in Massachusetts and other states
Who insisted on treating today's electoral vote count in Congress as a meaningless ritual would be an in
Insult to our democracy unless we register our own protest against the obviously flawed voting
Process that look took place in so many states we are hopeful he said that this major issue
Do that goes to the heart of our democracy is now firmly implanted on the agenda for Effective action by
Congress in quotes I agree
Constitution does not allow me to assign different electors to estate North shouldn't United States
Constitution does not give the option to the vice president of the United States adjust unilaterally decide which states are
In-N-Out and it should not eat State decides its electors through its people
A small group of senators including myself have demanded that we not ignore the questions that millions of people
Asking in our nation so we have proposed a constitutional solution pause the count
Get more facts to the States before January 20th we proposed a 15-member committee
Just like what was done after the failed election of 1876 they were encouraging people to spin
10 days going through all the issues so states can have one last opportunity to address
Any challenges then the states as the Constitution directs would make the final decision
On their electors I have some colleagues who said that attend a commission is not enough time
So they have counter proposed just ignoring the lingering questions we need to do
Do something my challenge today is not about the good people of Arizona
I will stand in recess until the call of the chair
Tupac
Physically contacting police
Try to bring in their cell numbers and stop
Galaxy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
In larger numbers
Able to stop them it looks like a dozen or so
Battle with police are losing it looks like
A stunning set of developments arletha desert
At the Capitol describing the Trump supporters who are gathered to protest
The results of the election the the what is supposed to be the formal count of the Electro
Vote today they are gathered outside the capital they have now pushed their way into the capital we've heard Lisa Desjardin
Lisa we're trying to urge we are urging you to stay as safe as possible but
Invitae of push their way in they broke glass a broken glass on a door or window you can now see video
A protesters inside statutory Hall this is normally an area where people there
There are Capitol Police who monitor you have to have a showing idea of some sort of you
Have to be there for a reason the public is normally welcome but but in order and with
Haitian this is clearly a breach of that these are people coming through we don't know what their intention is
I believe they'd be walking from the house side to the Senate side but I can't tell Maybe
Lisa is there on the house side of the Capitol and I'm least I'm prepared to go to you whenever you
You have some additional reporting go ahead
PBS thank you for talking with me can you tell me your name
Tell me I know that you just broke into the US Capitol tell me why you just
Did the police shoot at you today are you
This is violet breaking the capital was 1776
The American Revolution
If you after you stop talking with me
Bathroom
Jefferson and Johnson
Everyone sentence install
Right now
Hard to believe we want you to stay safe while you're coming down the stairs Lisa we do see house members we saw one as you said
With a gas mask on as you've described it and we're watching other members trying
Time to get to a place of safety while the police try to evacuate appear apparently trying to evacuate these protesters who are
You're trying to who are moving into and in taking over some parts of the
Secure space
As I can
Well more than anything we want you to stay
Stay safe and of course we want although you know everyone there to stay safe as safe as possible looks like Lisa's now
Benben choir been forced to move to another another location we are
This is our eyes and ears at the capital Lisa Desjardins
On the debate inside the Senate and the house is now joining members of Congress and evacuate
The capital ordered by police to leave so that they can try to
To get the protesters out of the building apparently that's what we believe is going on Lisa's keeping that
Camera with her that's what's giving us access to what you see in the underground or at least
In the lower floor lower levels of the Capitol but you see people moving quickly and we did see
Uniformed officers earlier armed as they were shouting
And attempting to get the protesters to move unprecedented
Historic I think you know when we when we think about the United States
The capital we think about the debates that go on in the committee rooms and on the floor this is not what we are
Used to sing at the United States Capitol but here we are January 6th 2021
We have a president protesting in election results and and his millions of followers
Thousands of whom has shown up in Washington today to breach the US Capitol to go inside
2 to what end we're not clear other than they want a different result they
I don't want Joe Biden elected president they want President Trump re-elected and they are not accept
The legitimate certified legally sworn
Results of the election they believe that something has happened to rig the election
Completely baseless okay I'm told Leslie I'm being given some information Sarah
You want to repeat that
2 things to report that they are called in more armed
Officers to the capital to try to restore peace there that is happening right now and also we're
We're told that a protester is in the well of the House of Representatives at the speakers
Water and I believe it is there's a protester in other words or protesters inside the house
Chamber normally this is a very restricted area only members of Congress are allowed to go there
For obvious reasons for the government can function and for safety reasons so
We've gone way well beyond that protesters inside the building not only inside the capital
Building but inside the chamber let's go back quickly now to the White House where president
Trump has a few minutes ago you me she tweeted two people to stay calm to respect the police
And yet this is a protest that he himself has call for
Yamiche are you there
Essentially yes we are seeing the really the consequences of the president of the United
Lying and telling millions and millions of Americans that election was stolen from him this is happening in any other country
Critics say we would call this a coup we would call it an attempt to take over the government that a protester said he was sick
1776 when he told Lisa that he broke into the capital and the president now it's saying support our police support the cap
Capitol Police but it it really is obvious here that the president had been urged by fellow Republicans at time
To condemn violence to condemn people Gathering today in in Washington DC and he chose not to do that instead he chose
To give an hour-long sleeps more than an hour-long speech saying again false claims and really getting people
Riled up getting people angrier and angrier and as a result you saw this now burst into the capital images that were
Thing today with armed guards officers with their guns drawn in the US Capitol it is a
Directly of the president of the United States telling American things are simply are not true the disinformation campaign
Headquartered at the white house right now we don't see any other White House officials coming to cameras to say urging calm to
To say something about what they want to see next other always see right now is the president tweeting but this is really a
Situation that of course is unprecedented this is a situation that also goes directly to President Trump and all of the things that fell
Republicans were telling him to stop doing including of course Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who gave that speech today saying that it would simply
Be harmful to our democracy if we overthrew his election that's right
Ayumi sure but number of leading Republicans are disagreeing with what the president's doing but that is after we could say
After weeks and months of supporting of the president's belief in these conspiracy theories not
Standing up to the president many of them Lisa Desjardins I think are you at a place where we can go back to you inside
The capital
Two Office Buildings this is where the actors actually Underground
You see I am with I think most of the members of Congress that I expect have been evacuated
There was a large group and I was walking out with
I have to tell you there is some anxiety in this group I saw some tears
He was looking a little fearful I also spoke to representative of California
I said how are you I know you're telling people you're safe I said what are you thinking how far
Out of the realm of reality does this feel like for you and she said
I came here to get away from this kind of threat
And she just shook her head
You seem to be trying to tackle the first of which clearly was members
Congress and people inside the capitol to Tasty and it looks like that is happening now
Lisa have you seen any members who are embracing these protesters supporting them because we know a number of them
Are supporting the idea of objecting to the Electoral results
I do not see any members who I know to be objectors
In This Crowd I did stay earlier today
Crippled after the first building after the first it's a little louder
People are being sold brother's birthday candle
I need told me he just hadn't heard about it yet he had he had no comment on it at all but I am very
Members of Congress
About this August
It'll be very interesting to see what their reaction is whether they are
Racing what these protesters are doing or whether they're going to speak up and say they've gone too far because essentially
Their actions or what is these protesters to Washington and to the capital so
It will be interesting to see the explanations that we hear but what the protesters have done
Is they've managed to put a halt to what was supposed to be of the Constitutional
A requirement that the Congress of the United States count the electoral votes
One more step on the way to certifying other Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be
President and vice president on the day of inauguration it's it was one story this is been a
A reasonably routine day there have been objections raised at different points but it's never gone this far
I an American history where you had protesters come in and actual
Play break into the capital to express their strong strong views Lisa we are seeing history
Has members I have been escorted back to their offices
With my fellow members of the press 4 year we've all been escorted out the find a place to work at this point
All right now it's just elevator Bank between the Longworth and Cannon office building Underground
There's no sign of protesters here and it does we'll take the areas on either side of this have been secured
Who knows how long we're going to have to and I and I think that a lot of us left obviously
Provisions for staying anywhere very long but
Stabilize areas of the capital so that is progress
That is progress and we know as we reported a few moments ago they're there now been more armed
Law enforcement have been called into the Capital Area so there will be we presume attempts made
Clear the capital of the protesters we saw some of that Lisa was right there inside the capital of few minutes ago when
We saw law enforcement arm law enforcement trying to get protesters out
But that's going to take some time to do we don't know the course that this is going to take this is all
All unfolded in a very unplanned at least to us unplanned unknown
Manor and we are following it just as you are as you're watching this we weren't sure where we knew there were protests
Cast we did not know it was going to lead to this and so we continue to watch but for the time
Time being the business of the Congress called for in the Constitution to count the
The electoral votes has stopped that's going to have to continue at some point after the
The capital is made safe and Lisa as far as we know they haven't even been able to move on
Pass the State of Arizona so they've got another 47 states to go plus the District of Columbia
That's right we we were expecting today something like 12 hours devoted to
You are the electoral process and to finishing the 2020 election right now
Could possibly continue to be very surprised
Obviously those pictures to see the pictures that you're showing of the front steps because he
We're very blind as to how many protesters were talking about where are they are they still
. so that's very good information for me and for those of us still there
Still I'm assuming perhaps threatening or able to get into the capital in some form so this
Ahead before bringing back this electoral process
Capitol Police
There's some of the hardest working people from and and they have lately been working
Because of the protesters many of them and because of the last year of American politics
Unsung on TalkBack Capitol Police has been working long hours
At their at their stance are for this building obviously will there will be a lot to talk about
This incident why this happened but I just want to put in a word for that because I know these guys and women
I'm glad you did that Lisa because you're right now they work long hours
I'm sure don't get the appreciation they deserve day-in-and-day-out while we're listening
Talking with Lisa I do want to turn to our to Capitol Hill veterans were joining us they joined us
Innocence to provide commentary and perspective while we reported on the debate
And the house in the Senate today on the electoral vote count but now that we've had all this unfold I want to turn to them it's John
Harris who work for many years for the late Republican I'm sorry Jon Hart
Why don't a lot floating around in my head right now John Hart apologies he work for a number of years
Here's for the late Republican senator informant formerly Republican congressman John Tom Coburn
And John let me just just come to you and Danny Weiss is also with him
Who also work for several decades on Capitol Hill including his chief of staff to speaker Pelosi
But John I I have to ask both of you have you seen anything like this have you seen this
Kind of security challenge at the Capitol
It's disgraceful a Danny and I are actually
Compare notes and we've never seen anything like this happened I think the this is going to be studied and looked at for a long
What time and what I'm frankly tracking right now is power Republicans as you
How are Republicans going to respond to this and you know I'm seeing reports some Republicans want to see the Press
This is potentially crossing the line into treason you know he just told Mike Pence he has the power
Cowardice to not ratify the election so I think there's
This is there are no words to describe how disturbing this is I was I was in a
Election Observer a post-war Yugoslavia
Yeah in 2008 a one of the comments that people on the ground said was look we never
Never thought there would be a war in our country when they never thought
Civilization would unravel as quickly as a dead and these are the steps that that should be
The unimaginable
To any American
And I think Republicans are going to have a very difficult time navigating the next few hours
And
It'll be interesting to see where they where they come down
John are there are there Republicans you can name who are critical of the president right now
Erik Erikson for example yeah I was just I was scrolling through Erik Erikson well-known commentator
Very respected tea party conservative he's calling for the president to be impeached
He thinks this is cross the line into treason. You have a lot of numbers calling for the protesters to
To calm down
The president as you read his tweet has said that but this is put this is completely
Changed this is Way Beyond politics right now but this is change the political dynamic in calculation
In a mind and heart of every Republican who came into into today thinking they could cast a vote
To get the president off their back essentially that's really what this was about and is Danny wood
Probably agree to there are moments where you have members sometimes a lot of members voting for a particular
And a challenging position means there's actually weakness there so another words I don't know that there are more
More than two or three Republicans said if the election really depended on their boat they would vote to overturn the
Election but if 140 members can do it and they feel like there's no consequence to doing so then they could do that
And that happens a lot in Congress that's just how members make political calculations
Beyond that normal type of calculation right now and
Reflector all right we're talking to John Hardin and Danny Weiss I'm going to come
Come back to you but right now I'm told that you Michel send her at the White House has some information umich
President Trump is sitting still at the White House watching this all unfold on TV and the steam
At the White House is relatively calm we can hear the sirens we can hear the protesters what is a citizen start splits
Stream from that President Trump is really enjoying in some of this calm while so much has happened with Sean and Hannah
I'm sorry there that I just saw a report about someone being shot and that's not
Confirm so I wanted to make that clear but it was startling to see it just now
Why don't you go ahead and finish and then we'll go back to the capital is true and
What you hear here is the president is watching all this unfold allies of the president are condemning this violin
But the president is not at this point having to read some of the chaos that he stoled he is sitting here armed
In a bubble of security while the capital is now I'm completely breech while the capitals having to deal with
The consequences of the things that the president said and did four months in weeks
As it relates to the election so I just wanted to point out that the president here is doing what he does which is he's looking at
It's all on TV but in this moment where this nation really needs a leader there are critical of the president
We're saying he is really having a dereliction of Duty while he's able to stay secure while Americans now rrb
Being put in unsafe situations with the Capitol Police and so many others now having to fear for their lives
I'm Aziz protesters continued to go on I'm the president and saying that he wants people to continue to protest in some ways but that he
Is condemning the violence but it really is something to behold at the president United States someone who understands communication to
To understand how to talk to the American people is in this moment choosing not to do that
Well the condemning the violence and asking people to respect the police but as you say only after weeks and weeks
Days and days months and months of questioning the election result and calling on people
The protest in any form I want to say we now know I now and single report a DC paramedics
Is saying that one person was shot inside the capitol we don't have that confirmed
But we are certainly looking into it there other news reports right now this
From NBCSN there's video of protesters inside the Senate chamber rummaging through senators
Desks so we are these are all things we are going to be following up on in our attempt to two
Understand what's going on in particular whether someone has been shot we didn't see when Lisa there's yard
Down was reporting from inside the capitol where she was following the protesters trying to understand where they were and where they were going
You could see that police were armed we didn't hear any shots while
Lisa was reporting but this latest information is it someone has been shot so again not confer
Firmed but we are attempting to find out where things stand let's go to where I'm going
Has who has been reporting from just outside the capitol she's on the capitol grounds Amna
City ice will bring everyone up to speed on what the latest is here it's still remarkable thing but basically
Stand-off you have thousands of supporters who have taken over the steps of the Capitol and remain in basically estate
Standoff with a very limited Capital pull out capital cities for right now
Just asking a few members looks like metropolitan DC police arrived on the scene
A few more cars start to pull out and take positions closer to the Capitol here and they have at Tactical
Helmets and face Shields and they have emergency response police
Written on the back of their tactical vest I think handful of them so far we don't have any bigger picture of how many of them
But it does look like some additional 4th is now arriving here maybe it has been mentioned to try to clear some of this
Before that turkey that has not been announced by DC mayor Muriel Bowser it's unclear if
Turkey was made it to the protesters here there's sort of an ebony flow to the crowd doesn't leave a few dozen
More arrived approximately bi-folding stable right now but it is very cold because not condition
For people to be spending a lot of time outside comfortably have any intent
They say that they came here because they believe that the election was stolen and they don't want to see those electoral votes counted
Unless that's why they're here to see this standoff through I also want to share some of the other folks
There's all kinds of flags and signs about Joe Biden being a criminal
Five pairs of state by state flag and there's also this can't be here again and again from people saying this
This is our house you work for us and this is one of the messages if they were very intent on getting out to though
Those members of Congress into those Senators that switches that this is not something that they want to see happen table
Those members work for them this is their house and that they want to see the election stop in its tracks right now
So right now we're keeping an eye on this crowd as I said it story just a standoff in this moment it's also a
Clear I should say if President Trump's tweet calling for Tom has made it to the crowd the chanting continues the yellow
Continuous at X music playing continues it's a very surreal theme and you cannot see just
Stop to my left there's a press pass with a few dozen members of the Press International press Corps
Around the world who have come here to report on this part of the American electoral process
Denise mentioned earlier as well I myself as someone who's covered elections around the world for years
A very surreal seeing that here in America at the end of this presidential election
The presidential election this is where we find ourselves with this kind of seeing thousands of protesters calling for the
The process to start that message is being a broadcast out to the rest of the world which is watching very closely to see how
Call Judy at the Capitol and you're absolutely right so real and
Beyond disturbing we can report that Kevin McCarthy who's the ranking Republic
Second in the House of Representatives is saying that someone was shot the NewsHour is able to
Report from a source we find Reliable that someone was shot in the chest inside the capital
It was not a uniformed officer so we can assume it was a protester but we don't know
There is another report that I read that CPR was being administered to this person we're waiting
Alpha more information but the clearly events have taken a very very dark turn
At the United States Capitol where supporters of President Trump have broken into the capitol have
Basically now have their run of the building from one end to the other and are
Are being pursued by security and asked to leave and we now know is
As we say and I'll repeat it but it is confirmed that someone was shot Kevin McCarthy the Senate Republic
I'm sorry the house Republican leaders saying yes someone was shot and our own information at the NewsHour someone was shot
Shot in the chest and another report that it was the CPR is being
Is being administered I should say that President Trump has tweeted again after all this
Again urgent calm I don't have the the text of exactly and here it is this is another
Tweet from the president just in the last minute or so the president asked quote everyone at the Capitol took
Quote remain peaceful quote no violence! Remember we
Are the party of Law & Order and quote and again these are supporters of the president
Who are behind the what you're saying in all these pictures and
And this is the president asking his own people to be calm Lisa Desjardins at the Capital One
What are you learning Lisa speaking to another member of Congress representative mark desaulnier
The NewsHour watch her and I think this just speaks to the very strange
That were in as I told you I saw some people with tears in their I fear on their face
Representative said I love your cat
Inside the capitol there is some calm there are some people who are trying to
Spirit high like he is obviously my cat is way more famous than I am so that was inappropriate remark
But it's just more than I think we are in an in-between time where people don't know what to feel
People are mostly texting their loved ones and am fine everything's okay
Things on television and then I see them texts and turned to each other and say
What's happening I can't believe what is happening right now so it is a moment of disbelief and a moment
People are trying to stay stay steady nobody nobody Lisa Wong
Wants to believe that this has happened but obviously it has happened we now have reports that a person was shot inside the capitol
Presumably a protester we're told it's not law enforcement so we're trying to get more information
I know you Lisa and there in the rest of our team will be trying to get that information as soon as we can
But even before we heard that someone had been shot the pictures the scene from inside
By the building very disturbing people breaking into the capital breaking glass breaking doors making their way
Way through the building and as I mentioned a minute ago one of the Network's I believe it was in BC
Reporting that two protesters were inside the Senate chamber rummaging through the Senator's desk
Looking through what is obviously private material on the floor of the Senate where
The public is typically not allowed to go yes it is the people's house from the standpoint of
This is our government's and it's at where it's a democracy so this is the people's house
But at the same time business has to be conducted people's lives and and
Affairs have to be respected and and security has to be respected and that's not happen
That's not what happened today this is been an over running of security Way Beyond what anyone expect
The level of security at the Capitol was not sufficient to meet the
The level of protest protesters who showed up determined to get in
They were clearly just not not prepared perhaps didn't want to be
The people would would take the steps that they have taken today by the way I should say that I'm told there
There's another report a spokesperson for speaker Nancy Pelosi reports that she is safe somewhere
In or around the capitol that's one report we are saying and we know that vice-president Pence was escorted
To a safe location as was Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa he's the Senate president pro tempore
Highest ranking member of the Senate by virtue of seniority your watch
Watching live pictures of the capital in the hour or so it's now 3:22 in the afternoon
Eastern time it's been at least an hour or so since
More than that since protesters broke into the Capitol Building walkthrough ran through
True in an effort to do we don't know what other than occupy the building to be there to express
Rest their anger their disappointment that President Trump was not re-elected we've seen people
Unhappy over election results before but not to the level of
Essentially tearing down or or rampaging through
The the United States capital which is the the building that is supposed to bring us all together Republic
Wiccans Democrats come together to hash out the great issues of our time to reach a
Tremont or not to argue to debate the issues that matter in the lives of
Call Americans and instead what we've seen is is Mob rule
Mass protests taking over and we're just thankful that there haven't been more in
Violence we're waiting to find out more about the individual who was shot inside the
Capital I want to go back to the two gentlemen who are veterans of working on Capitol Hill John
Hard to work for Republican Tom Coburn Democrat Danny Weiss work for house speaker
Nancy Pelosi is her Chief of Staff didn't get a chance to come to you a few minutes ago but I have to keep
Asking the two of you what do you make of this as someone who knows that building and knows the
The work that goes on inside their day after day
And it ended and it's scary you know one of the other a few things I've been thinking about one is
It's
Really unbelievable that the Capitol Police appear to have been
Unprepared there have been a number of occasions where the Capitol Police have been significantly dressed
Down
Or failing to have proper procedures and then they take better procedures
And again members of Congress are dependent on the Capitol Police and the sergeant-at-arms for their security
It's difficult to second-guess the police
However after 9/11
There was a significant dressing-down of the police because there was no
Equation
Process in place there were as I said earlier
Police with guns running down the hallway knocking on your door yelling at you
Run
And that was considered to be extremely inappropriate way to get people safely evacuated
The next thing that's going to happen is that you know first of all we don't know how the rest of the day is going
Going to unfold
And
In order for Congress to resume its work the entire Capitol Building will have to be cleared and sweet to you.
Don't know what anyone is brought into the building at this point you don't know if anyone has found a place to hide in the building and the police
Please know that and they know that it's going to take some time to restore the building
And make sure that it's completely secure
Is the vice president cannot be in the house chamber of it has not been swiped ahead of time
And now you have people who have not gone through security that around the house for so when we get past this
This day and then perhaps this week not knowing how it's going to unfold
You're going to see a much tighter security
Apparatus at the Capitol on top of the tight security that's already there an average person can't just walk into the
Building when I first came to Washington
I remember going to to see former Congressman Claude pepper
Lay in state in the Rotunda right up the steps that you're showing in in your screen right now and I could just walk
Light up steps and go right into the Rotunda
And
We've had a lot more security at it since then and regrettably we're going to have a lot more at it now
Danny Weiss I worked as a chief of staff to house Speaker Nancy Pelosi up until twenty
2019 a couple things I'm seeing right now speaker Pelosi has asked for the National Guard
To help clear the capital so some of the law-enforcement we saw in the building earlier and now going to be rain
Enforce if they haven't already by the National Guard we know that mayor Muriel Bowser the mayor of Washington
DC had asked the National Guard to reinforce DC police anticipating
These protests today that the President Trump had called for he call for his supporters to show up in Washington
But clearly there was no anticipation that this would happen or Shirley
There would have been more security that would have prevented the protesters from from getting this close and from
Doing the kind of the kind of damage that we're hearing described couple of other things to share with you it is
We can now say that I law enforcement source
Is is where we got our information that a person was shot inside the cap
Capital hit in the chest and we don't know the condition of the person we don't know the identity
But we know that job that it was not someone in law enforcement so we are waiting for more
Information about that and about whether that's the only shooting incident that's the only one we've seen
Reported so far the other thing we want to share with you is that Joe Biden who had been scheduled to makes
A statement today about the American economy because here we are now
Now just 15 days away from his becoming president of the United States and you can see this is the pic
Picture in Wilmington Delaware where he has been speaking to the American people to the press in recent days
Says he'll be speaking just in a matter of minutes it's just maybe 3:30 Eastern time we're going
Go to that as soon as it gets underway he is now expected to address the events at the Cow
Capital as well as the economy and of course will carry that live and bring it to you all
All of this unfolding completely in an unpredictable way we've been following the story
Following what's going on through the day it started out as a day when we were going to be covering a debate in the Congo
The house and the Senate coming together and these are live pictures from the capital right now these are protesters
Climbing the walls to get up on the balcony area of the capital we just heard Danny wise telling us
He was at work at the capital for almost three decades was speaker. Chief of Staff Force
Several years he was telling us that they're now going to have to completely sweep the capital for security reasons why
Because we don't know the course what has been left there What What In what ways is secure
The capital has been breached these individuals we are watching or just outside the capital we don't
How many people were able to get in and what they did once they were inside we know that one person was
Was shot and we don't know the condition of the person that was shot in the chest and we're waiting for more info
Information on that but the situation has taken a dark turn very dark turn
Burn and we are following it as closely as we can we know the speaker has been taken to a safe location
Vice president Mike Pence taken to a safe location but President Trump has been very critical
Has been calling out vice president Mike Pence just within the hour or so
Accusing him of not standing up not not having courage because he didn't have in the president's words
The courage to dispute to refute the actual and factual Alexa
Can result Lisa Desjardins is still inside the capitol complex somewhere
Go to you Lisa tell us where you are and what are you saying
Sign for Dunkin Donuts
People that make contacts and have lunch and what you see behind me and said this is where people are Sheltering several
Journalists are here staffers you can see if you walk over here with me a lot of folks
Watching as a single television here in the basement
On the outside because we can go outside right now
What players unable to leave the Dunkin Donuts area and I think these are busy
What's happening all across the capitol people in offices
Not leaving your face not sure when they can leave their space staying calm but
Unfair how long is it going to last remarkable that they're staying calm Lisa under
Under the circumstances and no doubt members of Congress are assuming that once
The situation or once the building is cleared that it's some point there's going to be a resumption
Of the counting of the electoral votes we don't know whether that can take place today tonight whenever but
Presumably they want to stay close by 4 for the time for the moment
When that can resume so we're waiting for more we are told that speaker Pelosi call for the Nash
National Guard to reinforce security at the Capitol I'm reading a message from our colleague niksch
Different who covers National Security and the Pentagon for us he tells he's he is reporting
The Joint staff that's the military the uniformed head of the military
Telling him off the wrecker sorry about those report this is off the Record but in a sense we are way
Waiting to find out more about whether the National Guard will be called in
At the capital and so we we wait we're looking
Different reports from different media if that if a National Guard is going to come in
Are the protesters going to go willingly or are they going to be safely
Playing peacefully escorted out of the building or they going to put up a protest a fuss and say I'm not going
Knowing what will happen we know that at least one of them has been shot in the chest
Waiting to find out the the the outcomes are and what is what's the
Condition of that person now I'm the I'm reading by one of this is from one of our colleagues
Courtney Norris who says that a supporter of President Trump one of the protesters is sitting in
The office of speaker Pelosi carrying on his protest inside the capitol
That may very well be an area very well be an area that the public
Can be invited into people do are received in the offices of the members of Congress
I'm seeing another report now in essence that a woman is being is seeing receiving
First aid due to a gunshot injury to her neck after being shot inside the cat
Capital this is another news source we will try to again confirm
Exactly what happened that may well be the individual who was we reported earlier it was blue
I've been shot in the chest so we don't have any at this point we don't have any reason to believe that more than one person
Rashad we that's all we can we can confirm at this at this point now I'm reading for
From the governor of Virginia and I'm quoting Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia he is saying the mayor's
Request referring to Mayor Muriel Bowser of the district I am sending members of the Virginia National Guard
Along with 200 Virginia state troopers into the district so that
Presumably is an effort to try to help clear the capital he said into tourist
Find the situation in Washington on my team and I are working closely with mayor Bowser with speaker.
And was Senator Schumer to respond to what is going on we're looking at live pictures of the United States capitol
In the aftermath of a shooting of one of these protesters inside the building after they breached the perimeter
Amateur breach the building broke glass got inside it now looks as if there's some
Movement on the part of these protesters some of them seem to be Milling around walking in
In One Direction or another we can't really tell if that's something that's organized or if it's
Ad hoc but we are trying to follow at the same time we're trying to follow what's going on outside the capitol at the
The same time we follow what is going on inside but it's very clear that after the incidents
The last few hours that there are now attempts to step up security
At the capital and an attempt to clear the Capitol building itself of protesters who
To have gone inside who occupied the speaker's office who occupied the senate floor
I walk through the the hallways of the Capitol building there's now a very serious and
Organized attempt to try to clear them out the National Guard has been called in other
Security officials have been called in in an effort to try to restore calm and peace
To this building where the nation's business was being conducted the Constitution calls
4 on January 6th for members of Congress to gas
Bother to count formerly the electoral votes one more step in the process of sir
Certifying the election result the election took place on November 3rd on November 7th
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were declared the winners by virtue of count the count that was done at that
Point and state-by-state every state has certified its results the Electra
Votes have been certified by the states today was a mere to be a mere formality but
Then there were protests that were objections raised by a handful of Republican Senators
My over 100 around 100 Republican house members at the
Has to President Trump they were asked to abject to the Electoral count with no fat
Factual basis whatsoever the of any irregularity simply an allegation that
Something went wrong we heard Congressman Steve scalise of Louisiana speaking about
Governors and secretaries of State in various States overriding the
Will of state legislatures but we don't have any details about what he was referring to
Because we know that state after state after State all 50 states and the district have certify the
Election results so we still don't know what exactly is it that the objection
Turn is based on what is it that they're referring to that they claim would call for
For a re-examination or in the words of Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and
Auditing of the election results we've seen what is it 90 quartz court cases
We're in every case Democratic appointed and republican-appointed judges including judges appointed by
President Trump have call for those results I'm sorry have called those
Allegations unfounded if said we don't see any evidence here we don't see any legal basis
For what you're doing there's been nothing that's been upheld in any single cord Indian
United States that would lead to factual evidence
That would undermine the result of this election so what we're seeing is anger and
And disappointment and a determination to overturn the results of the election but based on
Nothing of of of any legitimate or legal consequence
So and yet President Trump continues to push this just an hour ago he tweeted another crew
Criticism of his own vice president Mike Pence who is we've been saying all day long Mike Pence probably
No one more loyal to this president but what the president wrote this was just an hour ago he said Mike Pence didn't have the
The courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our constitution giving States a chance to certify occur
Directed set of facts Mike Pence put out a statement today saying that he
He simply did not see a foundation for his being able to do what the price
Present was asking him to do so remarkable isn't overused word I'm going to use it again
Remarkable turn of events here in Washington the likes of which we have not seen I and my
My forty-plus years covering Washington never seen anything like this where people come
And break into the capitol because they don't like the results of the election certainly people have been unhappy about election result
There have been peaceful protest there been people raising objections but not to this degree
Not to this degree where weapons were used where the capital was broken into
It's it's a Simply Stunning turn of events in what was
Supposed to be a routine and orderly and constitutionally backed
Set of procedures at the Capitol today all of which has now been put on hold while
Security forces the National Guard is called in in an attempt to clear the capital and to restore in
Attempt to restore order let's see I want to see if Lisa or or yamiche
If either one of you is available if there's anything new to report either from the White House or from inside
The capitol or on on the capitol grounds whether we see any stepped-up security
Around there I'm going to try to throw it to whoever is listening and if if your
You're all tied up than what I'd like to do is go here we go this is a comment from Vice
President Pence he has tweeted just in the last
Moment he said this attack on our Capital will not be taught
Tolerated and he said the protesters quote will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law
Soyumi shime looking to you this is Vice President Pence loyal to President Trump
Who call these protesters out but now you have the vice president saying
That they will be they will be prosecuted that's right in the vice president's statement at this point
Is more biting more pointed than President Trump statements now President Trump is someone who is a
Munication present reality TV president gets called in your anytime then any other president in history
And right now we have not actually heard from the president he is watching this from from what I'm told from The West Wing of the White House
In the security bubble of the White House things are very very calm here a complete different from what we're seeing happen on
Capitol Hill or thing happened in cities and states across the country the president here is is being urged
By both people inside the White House as well as people who have left the White House who used to work for him to say more to be
More fighting in this group to really condemn people and tell people to go home but the president hasn't done that the white
House Press Secretary is tweeting much like the president again both of them not coming to the camera not saying in person
What what they want to say but the White House Press Secretary is saying the president has pushed for the National Guard
To come and help out there were reports that one point that that there was some hedging on whether or not that would be something that the president
Want to do what we see here is the president taking a social media in a moment where Americans are simply too
Care if I did not have to say Judy I'm the false information has consequences the the the conspiracy
Series has consequences and that is what we're seeing today we are seeing the consequences of the president's actions as
Democrats and Republicans told him over and over and over again to stop doing this I'm thinking about a dog
Georgia Republican official who said someone might get killed mr. president please condemn this is weeks ago
President chose not to do this and we are now here in this moment absolutely give me shaming the president
And has been told repeatedly and yet he has persisted and elected members of the Senate and the house
And federal officials at every level under President Trump's Administration
Have supported what the president has said and in saying that this election was rigged
But it's an election that was stolen and therefore they are justified in challenging the results I'm going
Namaz is there on the grounds of the Capitol I'm not going to go to you
Everybody up to speed on what's been unfolding here because it is as you say and we say this a lot of remarkable singing
But over the last 10 minutes or so
Members of law enforcement it was hard to see what their badges said some of the best interagency
Camouflage head-to-toe but they all had heavy
What are the protective gear you wear on the outside much more substantial Weaponry they all had helmets and riot shield
Face shield on and they marked up information across the grounds here through the protesters
Precision somewhere else but the protesters have not yet been so they remain
I'm here in basically having the run of the place I mean if you look around you right now
Song about in the front their up and down the stairs they've completely taken over the front stairwell here as well and
Keeping our distance. Little bit because protesters continue to do everything they can to try to disrupt the
A lot of the reporting profanity being yelled soundproofing signs being waved around to work trying to be a little careful
Showing people at home right now but this is very much still the same here it's unclear if I message of the curfew
Because there seems to be no signs of anyone dissipating it does seem to be though that the longer people stay at
And nothing seems to be changing in terms of what they wanted to see happen today people are
Increasingly getting frustrated a few more angry people a lot more yelling
I want to share with you wanting to be able to talk to a few of the people who were part of the protest on different sides of the capital and they
They said that there was some debate among the protest crowd about whether or not to try to break it some people were saying no
It was a smaller contingent we were told by some protesters who said
I was reporting for using whatever they had in their hands try to break through the barrier another piece of information I want to share
We have it for one protester who said he was part of the group that was able to breach the doors and get inside
By the Capital-Journal witnessed one protester being shot he couldn't provide
Many more details who didn't know the person who was shot he identified her as a young woman that is a single proton
Pastor sharing his account of what he saw with us and that's all we can share at the moment on that but he also
He was able to get in with the rest of the crowd with with I asked him how many people he said about 500 teeth
That is his account right now we're able to get in I asked him where he went and he said I went everywhere never been inside
So I wandered around I said did you see any police he said just a few and then I asked him why he left and he said well
We got bored and there was nothing else to do so we came back outside and he was one of the few whose now Milling around with the rest of the protein
So that's not something that you would expect to hear from someone who was able to come here
The entry to the Capitol wonder about it will and then leave but of course as we know any
Anything else about this very disturbing report about one person being shot we will continue to share that with you right now
Granite and are waiting to see what happens next if they mention those additional forces now arriving but the protest
Showing no signs of moving it is such a
Serving seeing and then Amna you see the other protests that are going on you see the crowd behind you but then we just saw something
People when you started to speak or just walking casually behind you like they were strolling through Washington we do have
Have a few more pieces of information we want to share one is a CBS is reporting that Kevin McCarthy
Who is the highest ranking Republican in the house he's the House minority leader has
Phone President Trump to ask him to do more to get the crowd to
Step back to do something to calm the protests he asked him to speak to the country
At least that is the report that we've been receiving we're now trying to to confirm that ourselves but we want to
Share that with you being reported by CBS another news organization reporting that long for
What is arriving at the Capitol from the Department of Homeland Security we are
We're also told that both the National Guard and the federal federal police of other description
Are heading toward the capital there are clearly our moves now to reinforce security at the Capitol
Whatever the planning was it went into today they underestimated the determination of
This crowd I to do what it has done which is enter the building and two to have to
Work their way through and it to the point that we now know at least one protester was shot
I've just read another report and I can't tell you the source of it but the report is
6 people have been taken to the hospital as as a consequence of what we've been watching at the
At the Capitol and I'm looking to see if I can find the source of that because we are always reluctant to share
Share information we have not confirmed that but I did see a report six people taken to the hospital we can say the
AP is reporting that the National Guard and other federal police are making their
Their way to the capital I've seen a report the Department of Homeland Security was sending its uniform
Guards official security to assist at the Capitol
I am as I mentioned earlier vice president Pence himself has tweeted that this attack on the capital will not
Not be tolerated the protesters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in other words he's going farther
Further than President Trump is himself President Trump has called for calm he called for people to be
Be proud to be peaceful but this is after hours of basically egging them on of saying his
Selection the election was rigged urging them to to have the courage to stand up
Identify the accurate election results and only in the aftermath of that
And as we just reported after he was asked by Congressman McCarthy who's the Senate
The House minority leader the president was asked to do more to speak to the American people to
The urge these supporters of his to stand down and we're waiting to see what more he will do we are waiting to
To hear from Joe Biden he was to be talking to the Press at 3:30 Eastern time that time is coming
Gone it's about 20 minutes ago we're still waiting to see what what if anything
The vice president rather president-elect Biden will have to say he may be waiting
To see what what takes place and whether they are able to to calm things down
At the Capitol building so we know again efforts being made
On our way right now to get more uniformed officers into the capital to
Calm things down so Lisa Desjardin Aur inside the capitol complex tell us what you've learned
Point Lisa
Go into other offices
Either if you're given the hospitality this is what it looks like in the capital of people and
Any other day any other period of time this would be completely normal
But this is what the capital has look like they're in the coronavirus one thing about the timing of this today
I didn't have meant fewer people were affected than would have been affected a year ago many
Of the Congressional offices have either no staff or very little staff because of the Coronavirus
So many young people in the Capitol complex like so many Americans are working remotely Capitol complex
Has some 20000 employees that's down to a mere fraction these days
Because of the coronavirus now on the other hand today was probably the most the most
I've seen of Staff in a year and that's because it's the first week of Congress and it is the elect
For college certification so you are safer here than usual
But more than we came during most of the coronavirus one other note Judy I have seen Capitol Police
Gathering in Estero and the building that I am at they clearly are trying to figure out their neck
Next steps they are organizing
But I can tell you that they are they're organizing
They are gathering in their groups here I don't know what their next up are but they're they're clearly trying to figure that out themselves
Lisa Desjardin recording out from the capitol complex lease has been there for
On the inside as our eyes and ears Lisa Lisa reporting on the
There are law enforcement trying to get things under control we know that both the governor of Virginia Ralph Northam
As I reported a few minutes ago said he's sending in the National Guard from his State I now know I can report
From Maryland the governor of Maryland Larry Hogan has said that Marilyn
When descending in state troopers and National Guard as well to help get the capital get
Washington DC and get the United States capital under control under a safe to a position where
Where it's safe for people to be there I just want to share also the New York Times is reporting
Maggie Haberman who typically covers the White House is reporting an explosive device was found at the
Republican National Committee and detonated safely so that's
Another development we are we are we will be following today
Who worked for speaker pillows
Losi for several years you've been at the Capitol you have Decades of experience in the building you've been talking to folks what are you
Learning to be safe staff seem to be safe
They're reporting that they're locked down as Lisa just reported
Many of them are working from home only staff that were needed for today's procedure
Or in capital or or in the house office building
Deeply concerned and you know there
This is an institution okay so I worked there for a long time and it's an institution that has done a lot of good it's an Institute
That is done a lot of bad
I personally care about the institution
I know a lot of numbers 2 and a lot of Staff do and it's
It's very very very disturbing
To see the Congress the buildings and what it represents
Its ability to do good for the country
Certainly doesn't ability to do harm
Are to be under attack like this
And it raises
Very very significant questions about how this mood is going to be changed you know what I what I see is
Is that this movement of people that are there today
Which present-day they resemble when you when you look at them
It resembles the people that gathered in Lansing Michigan to try to shut down the state capitol in Lansing
They resemble some of the people that said that they
We're planning to kidnap
Arrested for trying to kidnap Governor Whitmer
When that happened
President Trump said nothing
And all the times that that people gather weather's in Charlottesville or here or elsewhere and they're never
This can't go on
By the top leadership in this country
They're embolden
To go further and this is now the farthest depth that they've taken to break into the capitol there action
Potentially have resulted in the serious wounding or death of somebody inside the building that is on the
President of the United States
And really I hate to say this
It's on the heads of every Republican that is supported President Trump I don't say that as a part of
I say that as someone who has witnessed and mentioned that she said words have consequences
So those consequences we are now seeing play out when the president was acquitted
Impeachment in the Senate
All bets were off
And we are now releasing the consequences of that
Listening to Danny Wiseau who works at the capitol for a number of years old
Was a chief of staff to Nancy Pelosi we're now hearing and seeing evidence of tear gas or in
Another form of gas that's being used around the capital to try to disperse the protestors
We are watching this very closely to see where it's coming from and
What happened this is inside now this is a camera inside I believe the Senate chamber
We're looking at this we were told earlier that protesters were in there they were rummaging through the desks of diff
Different Senators I just want to let you know that as we see this and this is the Senate chamber
I was at the house chamber I'm I'm having to get this is the house chamber my apology I just want
See members of Congress and looks like sitting in some of these seats I'm trying to
Not sure I'm recognizing people but I do want to report that speaker Pelosi and
Chuck Schumer who is the ranking Democrat in the Senate the Senate minority leader
Have both called on President Trump to ask his support
Prayers to leave the capital ground they've called on President Trump to ask his supporters to leave the Capital Grille
We have reported earlier that Kevin McCarthy who is the House minority leader Republican
Called on President Trump to try to calm the situation to ask his reporters to stay
Sandown we don't know what effect that had but now we have the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Chuck
Schumer who's the ranking Democrat in the Senate both asking President Trump to speak to his
Reporters to urge them to leave the capital so these requests are coming into the president from the
The Democratic Leadership from the Republican leadership we have the vice president the United States
Calling on these protesters to stand down saying they will be
They will be prosecuted he said to the full extent of the law my colleague Nick schifrin who cover
National Security covers of military the Pentagon and the state department for us Nick with cement
Information Nick you want to go ahead last hour or so
So it's been really back and forth when it comes to the National Guard DC National Guard
Deploys through the Pentagon whereas the Virginia and Maryland National Guard National Guard would deploy
I threw their Governor's after being asked we now have confirmation from the Pentagon that the DC
National Guard will deploy into Washington DC and the area around the capitol statements
From Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman that the guard has been mobilized to provide support to federal law enforcement
Open in the district and then discusses how the acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller has been in contact with Congressional
Leadership and the Army secretary McCarthy has been working with the DC government that sled of course
By the mayor and the statement goes on to say the law enforcement response will be led by the Department of Justice
That speaks to fears within the Pentagon until this afternoon I should say
Say that the DC guard would be misused there were a lot of concerns how did he
Niecy Nash guard deployed in June during the George Floyd protests and so joint staff leaders
Pentagon leaders Army leaders took pains to restrict how the guard could be deployed they weren't allowed
Loud as of this morning to have weapons they weren't allowed to have any armored vehicles they weren't allowed to use any
Copters like they did in June but again that was as of this morning so this is new this is just in the last hour or so.
DC National Guard has been activated the entire guard all 1100 has been activated because of what's Happening
The capital and they will be assisting law enforcement including the capital
Just one more Nick and an extraordinary turn of events this afternoon you have the DC National Guard is Europe
Boarding earlier we have been reporting both Virginia governor Ralph Northam of Virginia said that the Virginia now
National Guard was going into the district to help at the request of Mayor Bowser we've had Merrill
And announcing that it's National Guard State Police being made available to try to bring
Listen to restore some calm and peace there at the United States capitol building which has been over
Run today by protesters supporters of President Trump who called on them to come to
Washington to protest the election results and two in a belief in his
In his false belief that the election was rigged and stolen from him so as there is a result
Both of his pushing and urging this this is what it is led to we now
There were reports that a number of people have been hospitalized we know at least one protester apparently was
Rashad we don't know the condition of that person there's a reliable report that the person was shot in the knee
Neck we don't know again what has happened but we know it's serious
The situation took a dark turn very quickly after the House and Senate convened to
To try to begin the formal process of counting the electoral votes what should have been routine
What should have been a routine process has turned into this Mayhem that we've been watching
Unfold all afternoon since about 1:30 to eastern time in Washington my colleague on Navarre
Has been there on the grounds of the Capitol watching all this happen I know where there was a report a little while ago there was tear gas
It was deployed tell us where you are and what you're saying
Further back away from the capital because of that teargas I'm not sure if you can see or not over my shoulder but there's a pretty dense
Packed crowd that still trying to get into the capital they've been in a confrontation in a lockdown to standoff
DC capitol police for quite some time now that contingent has kind of continued to grow
Other parts of the capital outside here coming up over
The wall on that side is unclear to us exactly from where it was deployed but of course it's very windy
Blew up over that hill and it did have a little bit of respect
Protestors walking away from the area wiping their eyes
I know someone who's experienced before that is what happened so we pulled a little further way to remain safe
But that crowd is still very much engaged in a confrontation with CC Capitol Police
There's still the significant contingent of people there on that Center stereo but even
That has thinned out just a bit so if I were to update people on sort of what's been happening out here
They're definitely fewer protesters maybe because of the cold the teargas also contributed a little bit
But people are by-and-large starting to leave some of this location go see some folks walking around
Behind us as well there's no many more heavily armed guards of law-enforcement official
Sam Hui song with emergency response best on for taking up a position
Outside the perimeter and seemed to be part of that line now holding people back there's a handful of
DC capitol police have been here from the beginning you were still in the same position but again fewer protesters
Now engaged in direct confrontation now down for a smaller hardcore contingent ever made
Screaming and yelling and waving flags and chanting in that confrontation with law enforcement
Get seen any significant arrival of National Guard troops or any other reinforcement troop
We're hearing fire sirens and we speak hard pull up every now and again we haven't seen it
Significant increase in that kind of heavier law enforcement or official presence will let you know as we do but
Maybe they're hoping that over time as the pulled over takes people and the tear gas is deployed at the crowd
Will continue to thin out a little bit more tension seemed to have gone down just a little bit but will
Come back to you with me no more thank you from outside the capital and now to Joe Biden speaking to
To the press in Wilmington Delaware
Watch Batman watch
Our our democracy is under unprecedented assault
Unlike anything we've seen in Modern Times And Assault The Citadel of Libby
The capital itself assault on the people's rap
Representatives in the Capitol Hill Police sworn to protect them
In the public servants who work at the heart of Art
Republic assault on the rule of law like Utah
Assault on most sacred of America
The doing of the people's business
Clear the scenes of chaos of the capital do not reflect
Truamerica do not represent Who We Are
But we're seeing a small number of extremists dedicated
This is not the scent it's disorder it's chaos
It borders on sedition and it must end now
I call in this mob to pull back and allow the work of democracy to go
Go forward you heard me say before in different contexts the words
Of a president matter no matter how good or bad that it is
At their best the words of a president can inspire
At their worst they can incite
Therefore I call on President Trump
National television now to fulfill his oath
And defend the Constitution and demand an end to this Siege
Storm the capital to smash Windows occupy offices
Does Florida United States Senate rummaging through desk
On the capital on the House of Representatives threatening the safety of duly elected officials it's not protest
It's Insurrection the world's watching
Like so many other Americans I am genuinely shocked and saddened that our nation
So long Beacon of light and hope democracy has come to
Such a dark moment true war and strife
America's endured much and we will endure here and we will
Prevail again and will prevail now the work of the moment and the work of the next four
Four years must be the restoration of democracy of decency honor
Expect the rule of law is plain simple decency
The renewal of a politics it's about solving problems looking out for one another
Stoking the Flames of hate and Chaos so I said America's about honor
Decency respect tolerance that's who we are
Actually I've always been the certification electric Khalid
Electoral College vote supposed to be a secret ritual affirm
Purposes go from the Majesty of American democracy today
Is reminder painful one democracy is fragile
Preserve it requires people of Goodwill
Heaters the courage to stand up for devoted not to the pursuit of power
Power with a personal interest Pursuits of their own selfish interests
Is any cost for the common good
Children watching television with the rest of the world is looking for Nelly
Two-and-a-half centuries we the people in search of a more perfect union
Ever kept our eyes on that common good America's so much better
Watching the season the capital
As reminders as I prepared other speeches in the past was Abraham Lincoln
Zandro message to Congress whose work has today been interrupted by chaos
Lincoln said he said we shall Mobley say
Or meanly lose the last best Hope on Earth
Went on to say the way is playing peaceful
Generous just away which is followed
The world will forever applaud and God must forever bless
What is playing here to actually are
Democracy respect decency
Commitment is Patriots to this nation
Notwithstanding what I saw today and we're seeing today I remain
Optimistic about the incredible opportunities there's never been anything we can't
To when we do it together and this guy
Display today bringing home to every Republican and Democrat
Independent nation must Step Up
United States of America there's never ever ever ever ever been a thing
Try to do it we've done it together not been able to do it
So President Trump Step Up
Play God Bless America but God protect our troops
And all those Folks at the capitol or trying to preserve order thank minutes
Sorry to have kept you waiting Joe Biden talking to the Press
Breasts are in Wilmington Delaware the president-elect calling on President Trump to speak
On National Television to order his supporters to leave the capital we heard Joe Biden this
Describe what he called disorder and Chaos at the Capitol he said this borders on Saturday
Addition it must end I call on this mob I'm reading a Joe Biden's words
To pull back and he went on to speak about the words of a president matter to site
The many ways President Trump has called on his supporters to challenge the election results he spoke
Spoke about the need now for Americans to come together he said the work of the work that we're going to have to do
I am coming in coming weeks and months will be to bring the country together I'm very much condensed
Dancing what the president-elect had to say but the most
Newsworthy was his calling on President Trump to go on National Television
And urge his supporters to leave the capital we know that there were reports but
Ford Biden spoke from other news organizations that President Trump had been asked by
Republican leaders as well as Democratic leaders to urge people to leave the capital he was refusing to do
Refusing to go on television to do that he was declining at least that is according to other
Report right now our own reporters are only Saturday shutdown on a navase I have been
Looking have been reporting from the capitol grounds we are waiting to see evidence of
Either National Guard State patrols State Police
To prep for some evidence that they are showing up at the capitals to reinforce the Capitol Police where they were
We're clearly underprepared under secured were not ready for the show of force on the par
Part of these protesters who came
Enforce in large numbers determined to breach the capital to breach the perimeter
Where to go in to knock down the doors to break Windows to break glass to get inside
To go into the Senate chamber into the house chamber here we have this is a quick look at the house
Chamber we were told that protesters were inside there were also told that house members are
Trying to find different places to stay safe in the Capitol Building Lisa Desjardin has has
Courted for us that the members of the Senate were in one location we don't know
What that location is what we were told they were staying safe being kept safe in one location but we're
Trying to follow sources of information from many different many different directions from just listen to Joe Biden calling on
President Trump to go before the American people to go on National Television to urge his supporters
To leave the capital to pull back and biting himself called on these protesters
To leave the capital he said and I'm quoting here you said they are what they
They're doing borders on sedition he called in disorder even chaos he said
Said they do not represent who we are as American people they are a small number
Extremists and he went on to call them he said I call on this Mom
To pull back and he described the words of the president clearly
Holding President Trump responsible for what has happened today at the Capitol these are live pictures your look
Looking at from the capitol grounds we know that tear gas was deployed a little earlier maybe 15-20
30 minutes ago in an effort to disperse the crowd but some of them a number of them are still there as.
Darkness ends on the capital city we know that what it's about
30 some degrees with some pretty strong winds today it's not a pleasant
Day to be outdoors but this is a determined group I just want to share
Some news on the Georgia Senate race and number of news organizations not the Associated Press which is
What the NewsHour we are allied with the Associated Press in their call but other news are
Organizations are saying that Jon ossoff they're declaring him the winter in Georgia but we are not ready
We're waiting to see what the Associated Press does yamiche Alcindor has been at the White House for us all day fall
Following events there what are you learning
Trump may be releasing at some point a tape statement this after this comes after both Democrats and
Republicans and vice president elect Joe Biden have called on him to come to a camera to call off these protesters
Who have broken into the capitol we heard president-elect fighting say something that's so far President Trump himself has not said
Tonight is telling these protesters to go home saying if it's not protest it looks like interest insert insurrection
He also said that this is not democracy and that the president needs to quote step up so this is a president
Respond is that in some ways there are a lot of credit for the president who say this is all really all because of the
His rhetoric his his continuing to to beat the drum of disinformation so what we see is
President-elect fighting saying In This Moment President Trump you need to step up and be presidential we will hear will wait
Wait to see what the President says in that tape video address because the president hasn't in the past and he's
Video drops continue to talk about disinformation continue to talk about debunked claims he's used
These taped these tape videos to try to really just continue to spread things that are simply not true and not take real
Really hard questions from reporters in this moment where the nation is looking for a leader to say something about what's going on
And we know the major reporting the president has apparently taped a message
That is going to be released shortly we will of course share that as soon as we see it I'm told
Okay maybe this is it it's a two-minute statement it's on Twitter it was just released as of about 2 mi
Minutes ago as soon as we can we can share that with you we will I'm told he is calling for
For calm he's calling for calm
We had a real so he goes on he's let's see maybe we
Have the statement here I here I hear the president's voice so maybe someone has the statement I can see it
On Twitter but I'm not able to share it with you until the President says says the election was stolen
He continues to insist the election was stolen but he is calling for calm so it remains to be seen what
By this short statement by the president will have the desired effect of getting people to leave the capital because the president clings to
Completely unfounded and baseless belief that the election was stole
Inform him that he actually want he's set on several occasions he won by millions of votes or huh
Hundreds of thousands of votes in a number of states which is which is not true but as soon as we can get the president
And statement we will share that with you the picture I'm looking out of the present he's standing it looks like in the Rose Garden
In front in front of the Rose Garden it's a picture that is shot with him stay
Raining there and I could show it to you on my my smartphone but probably not the best way to share
To share video but since the president is now speaking out
To these protesters at the Capitol asking him to leave but still saying that the election was stolen from her
But it was illegitimate another piece of news the Associated Press has now joined other news organizations in
Jon ossoff a 33-year old business entrepreneur is the win
Winner in the senate race in Georgia that the second race that was in a runoff he was running against
David Perdue it would serve for one term one-term Republican Jon ossoff has defeated David Perdue
Dubai a margin I believe 6% which is above the .54
Send that under which the candidates voters can ask
For an automatic recount so that is appears to be outside the point 5%
Half of a percent margin that would Trigger or or set off an automatic recount
So that is a big win for the Democrats for the Democrats to have one now to not one
But two Senate seats in the state of Georgia is simply stunning another piece of stunning news on this all
Already very news news crammed day
That we're all living through and watching the other race of course one by Reverend the Reverend Raphael Warnock
Who was challenging the incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler who have been appointed to that seat just a year
Perrigo by the Republican Governor Brian Kemp after the former
Senator Johnny isakson step down because of illness Governor Kemp appointed Kelly Loeffler
Republican in the belief that she would appeal to moderate moderate in the state of Georgia sheets
As it turned out became a huge supporter of President Trump she is a spouse his false claims that the
She was stolen from him she is expected to be one of the members of the Senate
Subject to the worthy senator who have jax2
The electoral vote count in the state of Georgia that was supposed to happen this afternoon forestall that has been put on
Hole by the protest that was saying that we've been covering the Takeover of the cow
Capital or the I should say the breach of the capital by President Trump supporters
And completely unexpected turn of events violent turn of events that has led to the shoe
Shooting at least one protester six people hospitalized I've also seen reports in the last few minutes
Some uniformed police have been injured uniformed officers that is have been in
Injured and we're waiting to find out more do you have something new
New Forest from inside the capitol complex
Near me to realize that
Large number of u.s. Senators are now Sheltering in place and secure location
Location I know what that location is on this side of the capital on the house side I've seen Capitol Police
Seem to be going through the building checking for members of Congress I assume that they are going to
Offer them the chance to also go to a secure location but I didn't want to ask him questions
But they haven't going door by door looking for members of Congress to assess their safety
And to deal with that I can also tell you I've been speaking with majority leader of the House anywheres office
Everyone was uprooted from their normal workplace
I think right now many staffers who are important in the operation of Congress are just
Just now getting back on their phone getting in the position where they and their bosses can figure out
The steps in governing that come next and lawyers office at tells me that they don't know
When this session will reconvene and that they will let us know as soon as they do but that
Surprise
The house Nancy Pelosi you having covered Congress for a long time you mentioned Senator Loeffler
And how she had planned to objects to the Georgia vote it is it is
Going to be a real question I think in my mind if that plan to eject
This election continues after the violence that received and that these members themself have
If we have been getting reports now journalist are scattered all around the capital we're in close touch with each other
Trying to keep in touch with who were talking to and one of reports I got is from an interview with representative Mike
Kelly of Pennsylvania he is one of the people he's a republican one of the people who was objecting
Check my phone can't bring it up now when he was asked what he thought that's what he was concerned about
Rhetoric from the president legend that the president who refused to vigorously defend instead she raised something that I
I think we need to keep our eyes open for he talks about the media as being the one that Stoke this fire.
Essentially for the violence that we saw today so that is something
Least one of President Trump's allies here in the capital who himself has been affected by the
Violence today so so Lisa what does that tell you the fact that
That you have one of the president's supporters saying that
They aren't that least representative how late is digging in on the same messages
He's had and has spoken for years and is not yet
Considering any other possibility for the State of Affairs in this country and I
That's one reason we're at this point is because the president has been a leader
In the idea that if you think you're right you can believe that you are right and
You can be right and you don't need to consider arguments that undermine what you believe
Believe is the truth and so I think at least now and it's still very soon we're still in the middle of this
One of the president's supporters who's not willing to think more broadly about the underlying causes
What happened here at the capital which is a good reason Lisa to wonder how this all
Is going to be resolved because you have so many people who continue to be loyal to the president continued
To stand by him and these false allegations that the agreement
As at the president has championed for now weeks and weeks and weeks
And it's now led to what happened today but you're right about Kelly Loeffler the senator from
Georgia has been defeated in her bed 444 election is she going to be able to
To stand there an object after we've seen what happened I do have a Verbatim now Lisa what the present
Said in his video message that was tweeted out I'm going to read this this was this is from
My colleague Dan Cooney at the NewsHour he says I know this is directed to his supporters I know your pain
I know you're hurt we had an election that was stolen from us this is the president speaking it was a lamb
Landslide election and everyone knows it especially the other side but you have to go home now we have to
I have peace we have to have Law & Order we have to respect our great people in Law & Order we don't want anybody
Hurt chords people have already been hurt those are my words it's a very tough period of time there's ever going to die
I like this where such a thing happened where they could take it away from all of us from me from you from our
This was a fraudulent election which is not true but he says but we can't play into the hands of these
People we have to have peace so go home we love you you're very special you seen what happened
You see you see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil I know how you feel
But go home and go home and peace so the president tweeted that about 10 minutes ago
Give or take and presumably that's being shared with his supporters but whether that will lead them
Them to stand down you just heard Lisa Desjardins describing what one Congressman who's a big supporter the
The president is telling her he's not standing down he's not backing down they are going to continue to protest
The electoral vote results they're going to continue to question they're going to
Continue to believe that this election was fraudulent that it was stolen which is going to build it it
Fuels the anger and the disbelief on their part and fuels the division inside the Republican
Party my colleague was just telling me that the president's former big supporter former white house chief of staff
Mulvaney has been quoted as saying or maybe has tweeted himself the president to the
Didn't you must stop this it's gone too far or words to that effect so even people who are close to
Is president who worked directly with him and big supporters of his many of them are now Style
Telling him he must put this to an end Kevin McCarthy who is the House minority leader
Highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives very loyal to the president has been supporting him through all these Alexa
Can challenges saying that the president you must tell these people to leave now finally the president has done that
But he's done it in essence with one arm behind his back saying yes go home but
You have every right to be angry because the election was stolen from us and he's repeated that again
I'm just in the last few minutes so it remains to be seen if these
Supporters of the president will be dissuaded in anyway with that sort of mixed message
Coming from the president we have we're all we have a number of reporters who
Following these fast-moving developments Lisa Desjardins been in the capital of Oz was on the cow
Calvin has been on the capitol grounds I've been joined by a four-sided Michelle Center at the White House he's our son pictures
And whether they're alive or earlier today of downtown DC live pictures
And I've also been joined by longtime Capitol Hill individuals who worked as staff
At the Capitol and also joining me now is Kathleen belew she is Oprah
Professor at the University of Chicago a scholar who studies extremist groups
Professor Baloo if you're there and if you can hear me I think a definition is helpful at this point
Point because these people who've shown up supporting President Trump we don't know
Know whether they came from some organized group or whether they just spontaneously left their Hometown and made their way to
Washington DC because they have fallen into this conspiracy
Theory or theories that the president has perpetrated what is your understanding of who they are
You know I think we're going to learn much more about who they are and the days and weeks to come and I think that's a question that we will
What's pay very close attention to as the story unfolds what I would anticipate based on the recent history of the
Is kind of activism in our country is that what we're looking at is sort of an amalgam of people who are motivated by
Conspiracy theorist of the that they've encountered on social media and elsewhere people who subscribe to qanon to
To election conspiracy theory but also sort of run-of-the-mill trump base
Numbers and we know that some of the people at this protests are are more organized than that
And belong to White Power movement groups and other parts of what we might think of as the militant right now
Includes groups like The Proud boys one leader of who was just arrested a few I think yesterday or the day before
And who has sort of been a galvanizing where activity around his
And sometimes intention with police that people might remember is if that's the
The group that came up in one of the presidential campaign debates when President Trump serve infamously said
Stand stand stand back and stand by and many people at the time thought
Added that as sort of a call to arms because he was not saying stand down he was saying standby certain
Many people in the crowd boys and further afield in the white power movement heard that is a call to action by our president
And I think the big question today is whether he even does have the power to tell them to stand down it's not at all
Clear that this is a Groundswell that He commands in the way that people might think
And no question about it we're not and is you say we don't know yet how much
Of an organized white supremacist or other group is behind what
What we are seeing today unfold at the capital we know these are people who do support President Trump who says
Subscribe to his view that the election was stolen from him at least the ones we've been a are reporters of an able to
Talk to the ones we've been able to speak with Lisa Desjardin I spoke with one of them who broke in to the capital huto
Told her I'm here because I think President Trump won and and the election
This can't be allowed to stand and he told her he said it one point
The time comes when we have to take on the government or words to that effect
So very strong views and we we see this from time to time in this country
But we haven't seen it to this level where it's actually reached the US
Capitol building and where and where we see this
This level of Mayhem if you will aren't we now have I'm told
A way to show you the video of President Trump hit this is a statement he released about 10 or 15
Minutes ago shatona video at the White House in the Rose Garden let's listen it's about 2 minutes
I know your pain I know you're hurt we had an election that was stolen
Promise it was a landslide election and everyone knows it especially the other side
But you have to go home now we have to have peace we have to have Law & Order we have to
Respect to our great people in Law & Order we don't want anybody hurt it's a very tough
. of time there's never been a time like this where such a thing happened where they could take it
Get away from all of us from me from you from our country this was a fraudulent election
But we can't play into the hands of these people we have to have peace
So go home we love you you're very special you've seen what happened
Do you see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil I know how you feel
But go home and go home and peace
That's a statement President Trump issued to put out on Twitter just about 10 or 50
10 minutes ago urging his supporters as you heard to stand down but still insisting that the
Election was fraudulent that it was stolen from him and so it remains to be seen how people are going
Except it Lisa day Showdown my colleague at the Capitol is shared a couple of comments from some of the
Senate Republican objectors people who were objecting to the
The counting of the electoral votes that led to Joe Biden
Who's winning this election and Lisa I see you're there with me I was reading what you were sharing with the rest of us from
Both from Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri is one of the leaders of this group and also from Senator John Kennedy of
Deanna because he has been one of them
One of the leaders of this objective movement she wrote in a tweet thank you to the brave
Law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line and then he wrote the violence must end
Those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted and Congress must get back to work and
Finish its job Holly himself is a prosecutor then Senator John Kennedy
Louisiana who is also an objector wrote again similar thing in the Capitol Police have done an extraordinary
Job keeping us safe I'm thankful for their heroism then she wrote I condemned this violent assault
On the Democratic process and will not be intimidated by a mob that confuses
Chaos and destruction with strength and wisdom I'll continue to work for Louisiana
Hannity's statement is so interesting to me because those are words that we have seen
Conservatives use when talking about progressives went off
Talking about liberals calling them a mob instead this is something that Kennedy
Trump supporter is using to label the protesters who ransacked this
Capital in the name of his president he called them again
And a mob that confuses chaos and destruction with strength and wisdom so I mean
Eager to ask him
What you think of the president's words that this mob as he calls it
Husband and Vulcan were talking about when I was talking to protesters
Not as on the show but in between I went when I
And I think you you said a word hours ago that really struck me as getting to the core of what
How some of these protesters were acting inside the capital they were casual and they had a son
Sense of propriety
About being here that was startling and I sort of had to just get over the fact that they felt
It was completely not on me
Possible that it was their right
To be doing what they were doing and they were very laid-back about it Cavalier
Some of the nonchalant you could see in their eyes there was
And intensity
But as they were walking around they were
Just curious you know kind of laxidasical some of them and
It was startling compared to their actions their actions and attitudes inside the capitol
We're hard for me to release album
It's such a good point Lisa and we have yet to understand of course what motivates each and every one of these
These individuals who did what they did who came into the capitol who done damage who have
But it is clearly taking part in in activities that have led to people being injured we know that
One person was shot we're waiting to find out their condition a total of 6 people went to the hospital we know that several
Law enforcement officers have been injured we don't know the details of any of that but this took a very dark
Turn and whatever their motivation was and no matter how is use as you point out whether it's casual or cat
Cavalier they may act or be about what's going on it has very Siri
Serious consequences and so when you read the words of either Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana
Anna and I'm repeating it again condemning this violent assault on the Democratic process and
Calling it a mob that confuses chaos and destruction with strength and wisdom or
Whether you quote as you did Josh Hawley the senator freshman senator from Missouri has been one of the ringleaders or
One of the leaders of this effort to object to the election result saying
The violence must and those who attacked police and broke the law must be prosecuted so you do have now
Now these voices rising up even from among the president's most loyal supporters
Calling on the protesters to stop but I have to say Lisa it has to be difficult
For these Americans and these are American these are not foreign terrorist who come into work
Country and you know where where we spent so much time focusing on foreign
Interference in our in our country these are Americans who are on the one
Hand-holding the idea in their minds that this election was stolen
But on the other hand are being told to stand down and to let it
Just to let things go forward and that's a very difficult concept
Four people is for all of us and for but the president is continuing to say that he's going to
Continuing to say the election was stolen from us it was stolen from me it was stolen from you the democracies
Has been attacked and yet I'm asking you to go home and peace
I think what I thought I'm still processing what I saw
It was understanding that in some ways it was a physical
Manifestations of what's been intangible for so long something like an election is in hands
It's a process and there has been an idea for so many of the president's supporters
The election was stolen they believed this idea they wanted it to be true in their minds they made it through
So then I saw a physically hear something that's connected but seems like a different topic
People entering the capitol breaking through the glass door glass I think it was
The US Capitol pushing down police officers and then minutes later telling me they didn't
I believe in violence and that they were not violent
And I'm not real I like that there is something going on with this disconnect of
You can believe whatever truth you want to and make it true and it's more than that
It is a disconnect with reality and it is a choice to not be
You responsible for anything negative at all and enter
You are not responsible for anything you can do whatever you want and and that's what we saw
But do whatever you want and believe whatever
And and I think that is what I heard and felt from these protesters it was a physical manifestation
Of these years of
Completely disregarding some aspects of reality and today it was disregarded
They themselves were doing to their own country
It said it clearly a disconnect I think the way you described it Lisa is apt it it's a
Disconnect between again holding the idea that the election was
Like which we know it was not the election was carried out it's been multiple courts
Have rule the election in state after state after State they've upheld that it was done and
Legitimate and fair and legal manner but despite that these people are being taught
Hold it wasn't and what are they going to do with that information just swallow it and go on
What are they going to do that's a loaded piece of information to carry around again even
No there's no evidence to back it up when you're being told that by the most powerful person on the planet by the president
United States and you're inclined to believe it what do you do with that information
And by the way I just seen that democratic congresswoman ilhan Omar so she's drawing up articles of impeachment
Against President Trump there but other references today to other members saying the president quote should be
If history only has what 14 days left in office it's highly unlikely something like that's going to
Going to be carried out but think about that articles of impeachment
That does not have to go through the committee process when Congress reconvenes
I expected to be condemned before President Trump leave office
Is within her right as we seen other congressmen in the pastel green famously bring impeachment resolution so
Wow Democrats
Idaho land leaders don't have an appetite for an impeachment debate right now because leaving
You can read that and if she is determined to do it we will probably see a vote on that on the house floor
But that wouldn't be before they finish with the the task that is immediately before then which is counting the
He's electrobuzz riding me that takes precedence over everything
Currently they are in a joint session of Congress that has split into two separate House and Senate debate
That is one of the most highest kind of
Privilege sorts of process at the Capitol has so that joint session Congress actually
She has to vote to adjourn the joint session it has to complete the business of the joint session
Finish the 2020 election which by the way I haven't been on Twitter but if I was I would say I really thought the 2020
Relaxing just calling to end perhaps before midnight tonight but this week we don't know when Congress will be able to
Finally ended hopefully an hours but Congress that is their next task that is what they will return to
When their weekend game at the Capitol we're going to go now to
DC Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser who's holding a press conference let's hear what she says
But nothing like ridiculous
She's clearly responding this is the chief of police is just
Let's see if we can get that audio for you
Okay we're working to get that and we will go to Mayor Bowser in the
Police chief in Washington DC as soon as as soon as we possibly can
Northwest has the demonstrators approached the United States Capitol grounds there was a
The noticeable change in their demeanor they breach the fencing along the US Capitol grounds and confronted
Police line surrounding the building MPD was requested by the United States by the United States
Capitol Police to provide assistance with crowd management and due to the violent Behavior towards the police
Softest there and they're intent on gaining access to the to the capital A Riot was declared it was
It's clear that the crowd was intent on causing harm to officers by the point chemical irritants on police
To force entry into the United States Capitol Building as you all where they were able to gain at
Access to the Capitol Building and I can't confirm that one civilian was reported to have sustained
A gunshot wound inside of the capital details of the shooting or not immediately available and the situation
Remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department will be taking the lead on that investigation
MVD continues to provide Personnel Resources and assistance on the grounds of the US Capitol and has request
The assistance of law enforcement Partners three previously and placed mutual-aid agreement as you heard
Groupon the mayor a 6 p.m. curfew has been put in place tonight and will be in effect until 6 a.m. tomorrow
January 7th we are advising everyone everyone that is not engage in the Sun
Sexual activity to get off the streets and adhere to the curfew if you are found to be in violation of the curfew
Police will be required to take action again I want to reiterate and make it
Clear please abide by the curfew that the mayor has set in place or people will be subject to arrest
Lastly I know that many of you are familiar with the Metropolitan Police Department understand that there is no better age
Agency in the country to handle First Amendment events they happened on a regular basis here and I'll City
However today's events were not representation of peaceful protest today what we witnessed was
Unlawful riotous behavior in people that come to All City engagement unlawful Behavior will
Will be held accountable we can take any questions after you may have after the secretary has a chance to speak
Thank you mayor Bowser Conte we've been listening to the police
Chase in Washington DC you can see him you listen to him describing the
Riot he called it the broke out at the US Capitol today what started out as a peaceful protest people
For showing up to support President Trump and his false allegation that the election was rigged
A stolen from him a turned into a riot people broke into the capitol there's an injury someone at least
One person was shot or waiting to find out more another striking development just now the National Association of man
Manufacturers this is a group that represents as the title suggests American manufacturers across
The country typically a group that would support Republicans they've issued a statement calling on vice president
Pants and I quote to seriously consider working with the cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment
That is the Amendment of the Constitution which calls for the removal of the president of the United States and they say
To do this quote to preserve democracy this is a number things we've said today or
A remarkable this is just one more in a string of events today that has
Jaws dropping eyes popping in reaction to what happened to
Today you have President United States speaking to his supporters for an hour they March to the capital they took over they bro
Broke into the building I just had their run of the place and I'm reading the state
From the acronym is in am National Association manufacturing this is a large group
It represents American of the companies that make things manufacturers
They are calling on the vice president of the United States to move to seriously consider
Consider working with the cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office
In order to preserve democracy it's about a stark as you can get when you have
A statement like this from a very respected stable longtime organization
Nation that hit is republican-leaning if anything and it's and it's
Philosophy so again one more and we're we're reporting to you on this is
As we're reporting on National Guard state police coming in from Maryland coming in from Virginia being
Invoked the National Guard in DC where is our Nick schifrin reported earlier there was a reluctance to call up the DC
National Guard because of the position they had been put in back in the summertime when President Trump in a
Used the National Guard to put down peaceful protesters who were protesting the
Death of George Floyd and that was the event where the president student run
Church and held up a Bible and we will remember that incident will so
One surprising turn of events after another you Michel sender is reporting on all
Elvis at the White House you may shitz now dark there you've been standing by for hours
As the events that transpired one after another
That's right we seen from the president is him trying to urge. also continuing to double down on
Honda false information that got us to this moment what's remarkable about that video that the president put out is that he spent
As much time if not more time continuing to to say things that are not true continuing to say that he won the
Stolen from him things that we know aren't true and then he goes on to say I also understand your paint in some ways
Critical safety eating into the sense of entitlement that weasel witnessed at the Capitol when you saw people breaking in and that she's
Cavalierly walking around the building as if they weren't breaking the law what you see in the president here in this moment in the
This moment that is possibly the most important moment of his presidency is a president that is continuing to be consumed
With the issue of staying in power continuing to be consumed with his own political failings this is a president who is down
Losing people that were close to him including I think many Republicans who in some ways are not our ways
Anything publicly are Whispering what that statement is saying from that manufacturing group saying that maybe 14 days is
Too long for president who would continue to say that the election was stolen even after seeing someone be
Shot in the capital of the United States two weeks is a long time Judy visit all happened as you know and
One day on their lot of people that I'm talking to now even allies of the president or frankly scared worried about what the president
Like to next on the president in some ways he was empathetic with these protesters with these people who have broken the law
Who is terrified terrorizing and scared so many people he empathized with them saying I understand your pain
I'm in the president wasn't appointed as vice president Pence or president-elect Biden in this moment that calls for leadership
And I'm reading Commission in conjunction with all that you're saying is CNN reporter
Jim Acosta who covers of White House along with you saying that a source close to the White House was in touch with some of the right
Rioters at the Capitol said as the goal of those involved to stay inside the capitol through the night
So we if that's the case and we can expect to see some confrontation because we know that there are more
Law enforcement or moving into the Capitol in an attempt to remove them from the building to restore
To restore order to the Congress can go back to work if there's if if this is true and if
If they are saying we plan to stay then we can expect some kind of Confrontation we certainly hope
That doesn't happen we certainly hope there's no more violence and there's already been we certainly would hope for a peaceful resolution
But this is a disturbing bit of information for us to have any
Point
Do not want that counting by Congress to go on and as a result they're their goal is to try to stay in the capital
It's a try to hold out into trying to see if they can get something done and try to offend even more the
Process so it is my understanding that these protesters are going to have to be taken out of the capital some of that mean leave on Monday
Hear the president say go home many of them may see that as a president just doing what people want him to do because he has said so
How many times other times it's people should fight people should not conceit that was his mess
Message to them today was it not earlier today he was urging his vice president Mike Pence.
Just put a stop to this counting he don't he doesn't want this of this process to go forward so
There's very much a mixed message going on here on the one hand he saying the election was rigged
In his View and he wants the process to stop on the other hand who sang go home so how are they to read this
It's that mixed messaging that is really troubling tonight as we realize that the president is now
Not going to stop questioning the other results of the election is not going to finally say I la
Lost the election I'm the president at one point said that he was a sore loser said that he was it was hard for him to lose but this attend some
Some ways has gone so much farther than even people close to President Trump thought it would go I'm so many weeks when I talk to
People they said while the president is really just processing he's embarrassed he's hurt he's going to come around and now at least
She is a president who is not able to come around was not able to process this loss and it's country
Where are we going depend on presidents in particular to process their losses and move on if they have to.
That's the way the Democracy survives in America survive in this great experiment that me and in surprising a place where we asked
American democracy the other country sewing in this way we'll be seeing the president who is wanting to at least
Say in condemn violence but cannot at all bring himself to say this needs to end this election is over let's go
It just is not part of what he's going to do there's no sense among people who are close to him that he's going to ever get to the point where he
You can say you know what this has gone too far let's all go home including myself let me leave the White House here so that's why you see the chocolate
14 days might not be a time. The president can be responsible with
Which is why we are seeing it would this this stunning statement from the National Association of Manufacturers
Is large organization representing as we said the major companies in this country that manufacturers
Typically Republican sympathetic organization saying party no matter what part
Parties in charge it's time for the vice president to talk to the cabinet about removing the Press
Resident from office and is you say you mean it is 14 days from the time that Joe Biden would step in
And would be inaugurated the fact that people are not even prepared to wait 14 days to
Weeks is is simply head-spinning stunning
And you're hearing it from others you're here reading it you might expect Democrats to be calling for impeachment but the fact that
Republicans are now concerned and stepping in and sang although this is not a
Republican organization if they tend to support Republicans on it on a number
Of issues I'm now joined Jamesha I'm going to turn to a republican Congressman Ron asked
Steve's of Kansas he had plan to objector today's electoral vote count
Congressman tell me where you are right now and what is your take on what's been happening
So I had just left the floor when the just before the the protesters stormed
When do the Capitol building and so we're in Office Buildings now and so we're safe
Secure both myself as well as the staff members and so we're we're looking to see I mean
I have complete confidence in the Capitol Police and and law enforcement and helping make sure that we go through in and they
They clear out the Capitol building and we get back to the business and we need to do I mean this is when
Inappropriate inappropriate and that completely that and protesting is appropriate
Free speech is appropriate terms of what we say but having violence and destruction and it is not appropriate
Congressman are you still planning to object to the electoral vote
Shut the process today on January 6th is that we is Congress has a responsibility
To certify the electors
And I based on what's in the constitution is that the state legislators should have the responsibility
To determine how that those electors are selected and in several these states that didn't happen either
Was a judge or a was that an elected official had chose to do that and that that's not the way the
Constitution was set up that's not what supposed to be done at work country that you know based on the rule of law
And so that was what the whole objective process was about there are a lot of Po Folks who
On the Republican side as well who somewhere Jeff tendon and some weren't that because this is a very
Serious discussion we don't want Congress picking the president that's not appropriate at all we do
Don't want judges picking up the present the judicial branch not supposed to do that until this was a process
We should have been able to go through that process peacefully because that's what we've done for the last 240
In our country is it is half peaceful protest and peaceful transition of government
But President Trump is the one Congressman Estes who urged his supporters
To come to Washington he urged them not to allow this process to go forward he's the one who is say
Saying that this process it should be stopped but it should not go forward that his votes
That the electoral vote count should stop that it should go back to the states. And the Alexa
Action should be overturned are you supporting him in that belief
There there been several protests since the election I expected this protest to be to be like
Like that to be peaceful in terms of that process I was somewhat surprised today that that it did
Turn Violet because that hadn't been the aspect of what it happened in any of the previous ones
I do understand the frustration on people's Park but it's not appropriate for individuals
I don't condone violence that they've done and don't support them at all in terms of storming our capital and trying to
Disrupt the process that setup in in the laws of our country in that that we should follow
What responsibilities do you think President Trump has for sending the message though that that this is
This election should not be accepted and that his supporters should do whatever they can any
Anything they can in order to stand in the way of Joe Biden becoming president
So I think you have to look at it and hold accountable those individuals that that committed these these
These acts of violence it's not appropriate at all it took for them to do that and those are the folks that need to be held
Accountable for doing that I support our Capital place in the law enforcement who've actually
I've done an admirable job of looking out the to secure the Capitol building and make sure that
We have a minimum amount of issues with individuals but even though it's
Part of our country's history to have free speech and to have the ability to protest this by
Violence is not appropriate in an individual should not have done that
Some responsibility if not a great deal of responsibility for what's happened
You have a crowd to get together conducting a protest year you're at risk any time that there could be
Violence that comes out of that I mean we saw it earlier last year with all of the antifa protests and saw
All the violence in Seattle in in Wisconsin and and so that that's an individual we need to hold those
Individuals that commit that responsible would knowing that when you do have a crowd that that is a risk
And that's one of the reason why you know the Capitol Police and law enforcement her always at the ready
When when you go through the process of of having a protest like that at the beginning
Maybe start out peaceful but then has the risk of turning violet
You think the President should have urged his supporters to come to Washington today for protest
Well I think protesting is is part of our country's history and we should we should we can't we can
Can't limit free speech of through that we can't limit people's right to protest about aspect but
It should be done peacefully it should be done within the rule of law and that's the whole point of what
What this process was today was to follow the rule of law and everybody should be responsible to do that and
And should be responsible to to encourage folks to follow the rule of law
Order today's protest I don't know anything
Individuals that are Stormy in a capital I do know there's different discussions with different folks that work
Planning to come to the the rally earlier but I don't know specifically that anybody that
Set Capital now and on your point about Ave J
Reacting to the results and I hear what you're saying about the state legislatures are supposed to have more
Oversight over how electors are chosen but as you know in all the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Columbia there were there were numerous legal challenges to what happened and not a single court has upheld
He'll anything that would overturn any of these results so there's
Huge question mark about what exactly is the violation that
Happened that took place that that you believe makes this election
Shanila Jim I gather you're saying the election result is illegitimate
I think what what you saw from several of the court rulings was that there wasn't standing
Particularly like the the Texas lawsuit that the Attorney General in Texas didn't have standing to
To dictate to Pennsylvania how Pennsylvania should I select the relay
So wasn't that this the Court ruled on the the merits of boy that there was decisions made
Said there was no evidence they ruled in a number of cases that there was no evidence
That they were different than what the state legislature it said but it was one of those things were
The most part that has several of the court cases it was that there was a
This identified that come on January 6th and and and that's what we were following through here today
Alright well we are going to leave it there representative Ron Estes a Kansas who's one of the above
Jectors in this electoral vote counting process Congressman thank you very much and we're glad
We're so glad that you were able to stay safe today
Making sure that we follow the rule of law and and and then move forward with our country and and and it continued this
Electric cigarette thank you very much we appreciate it
And I want to turn now to one of our Congressional veterans were calling them
Part of the staff on Capitol Hill for a number of years John Hart work for
Republican the late Republican senator Coburn who
Johnny work for him both in the in the in the house
House and house and in the Senate John Hart but you've been list
Listening to a republican congressman from Kansas just now sort of square the circle of
Trying to explain how it's possible to eject to the election to the
The electoral votes but also say it's time to move on
Is a very
Principal in smart guy from from Kansas every decent person and I think what he's articulated
I just that look there are instances all over the country where were state legislators did not have a final
Don't say it how the election was administered and there's a legitimate constitutional argument between those who say
The state legislator should have total control and and those who say actually state legislator merely says
The parameters but secretaries of State another boards can make those determinations as to how the election
There are actually executed so I think what it's what we would have learned today had had the pro
Protest that happened in the way it did and I think we'll still learn is that there's a lot of ambiguity
Written into the Constitution about how
Congress can provide oversight should Congress provide oversight to state election boards to stay
State legislators legislators rather and Timmy the only intellectually honest way
Way to actually change anything is to do it through a constitutional amendment so there maybe takeaways where
There might be in agreement to for example look at how we do
Draka Gresham District you can do can broaden the aperture Beyond just election rules to look at how do we
We decide districts and how do we have modern and elections in the internet age anyways that are transparent Fair Anoka
Could we could we simply vote through our found other ways to do it online if we can pay our taxes online
Why can't we vote other simpler ways to have a free and fair and open elections ways that can provide
That will not create suspicion and and again I think what what's happened
Is there were four years of the resistance on the left that said the president was illegitimately elected
And that has created an enormous amount of Suspicion
And and I I would agree that Trump has amplify that way they're unhelpful but that's that's
Part of why we are where we are today
I don't think we've had four years of the kind of the presidency legitimately elected do the
Play the present is protecting what's happened in this election John I think it's fair to say people didn't
May not have liked the result but they accepted the result in 2016
Today what we're hearing is that the president is saying the election was stolen from him that
That dead people voted that cashes of piles of
Votes were thrown in at the last minute as he did it it said about Georgia
Yesterday and there's just no evidence of that I mean I I know there is this discussion about what
What state legislature should have done that was a question I was asking Congressman yesterday is a minute ago and what
You're just referring to but that's different from saying the entire election was was fraudulent which
Again judge after judge
To clarify that's dad as bad as not what at all what I'm saying either I think what would I would I would I
Florinda media to do at large is to understand
Bad
When there were years and years dedicated to storyline
That the Russians helped elect Donald Trump the Donald Trump collude with the Russians and there was an impeachment process
Houses built around that that that then created a fertile ground for Donald Trump
How to say
This this election result was merely a continuation of four years of resistance
And it is so that's why I think there was plenty of blame on both sides that this is a cultural political problem
This goes Way Beyond just partisanship and that's really that's the point I'm trying to make here is that if
It is wrong and partisan for either side to say one side cause this of the other didn't
There's different types of blame to go around but there's a lot of blame but I think both shot decides can share
And that we need to learn from and move forward in a much more productive way and there are there are ways that Congress could do this very
Productively and bring an experts and figure out how can we have in the modern digital
A free election where everybody gets to vote and their vote is not for fraudulent
There but will count and and that's what I think we need to do going forward that's what members couldn't can support on both sides
Well we are its it clearly something we're going to continue to discuss into report on
Because it matters so much John Hart I do want to read before we go to our next guest I want to read a state
Ben Sasse a Republican senator from Nebraska who has been in recent days
Critical of President Trump and Senator Sasse has been saying that the election was
Why the election should be accepted but in his statement just now he said today the United States Capitol the world greatest
Symbol of of self-government was ransacked while the leader of the Free World coward behind his
Keyboard tweeting against his vice president for fulfilling his duties before filling
The duties of his oath to the US to the Constitution and I'm continuing to quote this brief stay
Statement from Senator Ben Sasse Republican he said lies have consequences this violence
Was the inevitable and ugly outcome of the president's addiction to constantly stoking
Vision I'm continuing a quote Americans are better than this Americans aren't
Americans aren't arsonists Americans aren't French revolutionaries taken to the barricade
This is not how we peacefully transfer power the American people are tough or constitutional order is strong and we will
We'll meet this moment with strength and Grace that statement from Republican senator Ben Sasse
Of Nebraska who again has spoken out against the president's statement of a conspiracy
Picking or repeating conspiracy theory that the election was stolen from him let's turn now to Journey
Journalist and author Ron suskind who has been speaking with sources of his within the Trump Administration on this
Truly astonishing day hi Ron what are you learning
It's a quite a day Judy one of the things that I'm hearing from sources in the government is well
About something that we heard starting around the middle of last year is that this
Is the thing they feared is that Trump always had an army of loyalists and
If he were to lose the election
That he would unleash them he would use the power of of the people
Who will do just about anything Donald Trump says in have been convinced that a fraud has occurred in
An extraordinary numbers which Trump did himself
To create a situation which is sort of what we have at this moment in which you got
This group of insurrectionists who had taken over the capitol that
Are really moving at the direction of Donald Trump let's be very clear about that and at the same time he's still retain
Change the powers of the presidency that's a left hand in a right hand in which he has power in both hands
And I think what we're seeing now is a question
That he's answering as to how he will use that Leverage
He said to them it's time to go home that's that's not a very forceful say
Statement is sorta like you've done your work now stand down and
Wait for further instructions he also has activated the police and has activated the National Guard
So you've got left-hand and right-hand working in a kind of Unison that terrifies a mini of the phone
Republicans many of the folks are senior officials in the government and that's why I rented a dynamic situation now
Well it's it is a Wii at the very least it's a mixed message and as you say it's a danger
Dangerous message because you're right on the one hand the presents and go home but he is
Sticking by his argument that the election was stolen which is of course what is fueling the
The anger and the actions taken by this by these protesters Iran
So how organized is all of this is my question do we know I know we still don't know the identity of every single
One of the individuals who came to Washington today to protest the election result but
How much organization is there
Ization you know this is a mob that kind of takes Direction and can improvise as they see fit
Don't need a battle plan handed to them not in this age and I think that what you're seeing here
What is a kind of signaling that we see a lot in the digital era in which the president is signaling
Going to his community as he did in that speech this morning which was just pairing to listen to because
You did fire them up and he pointed them toward the capitol was quite clear
You're ready go that way and do what need be done if you listen to that Long Beach
That is essentially the message you gave to them and then he stopped and watched from the Oval Office
As the habit unfolded
And watch for quite a while
It seems to me I mean just again looking at this from my perspective watching this on fall today that there
Was an effort initially to exercise restraint on the part of the capitol
Law enforcement the Capitol Police and others they were hoping that things wouldn't get out of hand they were holding back they
I didn't want to use Force they didn't want to tear gas or use other other methods
He'll back but then that turned out to be the opening that led to what we
We saw where they broke into the capitol someone was at least one person was shot people sent to the hospital so I
Remains to be seen just how much all this unfolded but now we have the situation where
A number of these protesters are telling people who talk to them that they are going to stay there over
Overnight we had your Niche I'll send your reporting a little while ago that's the whole purpose of being there to keep this this
Electoral vote counting process from going forward so if the police if the national
Gardner police whoever goes into the capital they're going to meet with resistance on the part of these people we we think we do
I don't know but but but back to the president and his role in all of this it's it's
That's something we are trying to understand and it's it it's certainly raising a quest
Question of just what a dangerous moment this is
Nothing is quite pertinent that the Capitol Police were what kind of surprises up is hard to imagine this you know
Fishman threat assessments going on inside of the government by senior officials who are fearfall embarrass agency
4 months as to what could happen if Donald Trump lost the election it's one thing
Engage in that process is another thing to be spacing it and I think what you saw is the surprise
Of enforcement police around the capitol when they saw a mob coming play pardon
About what they decided to do
And I think as well now's the moment we're all trying to
Getting ahead of the key actor here which is Trump Trump trump created the situation Trump also
Who controls the powers of government that will affect what happens in the next few days
Both things are within his control and purview
That's I think why you have some people Republicans and Democrats calling for the 25th Amendment
You can have all that power in one man what Peter Baker
The New York Times about the president leading an Insurgency Insurgent in the White House
Is the thinking that many senior officials have had for actually quite some time so
In a dynamic situation where people are trying to figure out what Donald Trump's intentions are
And what he will do next
In some ways one of the things that people been watching for is in fact
A wording and bringing in the National Guard and the military
Create a kind of state of emergency situation which again gives the president extraordinary
Great hours
And I'm in that happening now so it doesn't surprise me that
The folks in the white in the capital are staying they realize they have power
And that they're really backed up significantly by the president of the United States himself that change
Anything we've ever seen I think in this country where you have a group like that building
President
That's the new terrain we are standing on now
And it is terrified
So bring at the very least and this discussion of the 25th Amendment
Can sobering Ron suskind thank you very much so much to report on just quickly I'm
Going to take her to step away for just a few minutes to turn it over to my colleague William bring them to carry on IG
I just want to report William as I turn this over to you I'm seeing William Barr who up until a few days ago with
The Attorney General of the United States calling today's events at the Capitol outrageous and Despicable
So these are again these are people supportive of been supportive of the president until very recently
Who are astonished and worse at what has happened William
Thank you so much Duty and thank you for all of this incredible reporting and an anchoring you have been doing all day today we are
Are all of us in the NewsHour family grateful to that's it has been a truly remarkable day of
In the comments of former Attorney General William Barr or just the latest we have seen so many former Stallworth
Members of the Trump Administration and Trump's circle of supporters who have now come out
And said that this seems to be a bridge too far to see those images so
Vividly reported by our own Lisa Desjardin of of of protesters breaking into the
The US Capitol and storming the building and rifling through those offices and standing in those
Halls and in those Wells where we have seen for so many decades congressman and senators
And presidents and vice presidents speak it's just I think many of us had hoped that today
They would have passed as a small bit of political theater and it is turned into something obviously much
Too much Graver than that anyway I would like to turn now at some point to give me she'll send or our way
White House correspondent she has been following all of this great to see you can you just give us the latest what are you here
Hearing about we saw the statement that the White House put out from President Trump what else can you tell us about the latest
What the White House is thinking and how they're responding to all of this the present remains convinced that
He has to continue to spread disinformation about the election he is watching all of this unfold
From the White House at this point other than that one minute video he has not offered himself up to speak to the American
Can people in this moment were so many Americans are terrified about what they're watching at verified from what they're watching
This of course is a result of the president's own words his own rhetoric he told Americans Mill
Millions of them at Rally's on Twitter in videos from the White House Podium that he was
Someone who was a victim of a mass conspiracy theory against him that he had had the election stolen from
The president is still there still in that moment still in that's mindframe still focused on his own fuel
Future even as night falls on the White House even if things get dark even as things have gotten so dark
In the capital what we see here is the president urging calm people around him including Rudy Giuliani saying that their needs
Reno violent people William you know this from the reporting that you've been doing I'm just information to mess
Stickley these are the same people who are perpetuating the same information that now these people have taken these protesters
Taking into the into the capital and so many other cities to try to to Really upend all of this process
Process my reporting continues to be but these protesters do not plan to want to leave do not plan
To want to back down because they want to see the system not be able to go forward and right now they are succeeding at doing that
It's remarkable at the beginning of the day we got five of the 2020 election was going to be over and now we've seen armed protest
Testors succeed in disrupting American democracy so many people including Republicans
Where's the president weeks before this to condemn violence did not have people come out with the president ignore them all
And we saw this morning the president double down on that and I think it's going to be something that we're going to have to really think about when he said
Fight on we will not concede and we're heading to the capital and I just had someone discovered a lot of protests
These images are just remarkable I remember being in Ferguson Missouri where there were protesters
Do workout protesting peacefully and we saw tanks and teargas Toronto dad and these protesters now are sitting in Nancy Pelosi
Office are sitting on the cafe in the Senate chamber and President Trump is saying I hear your pain I understand you
I love you this is the present feeding into that sense of entitlement that got these people to break Windows of the u.s.
Capital funding that we just have not seen in modern history some historians thing that it was back in 1812
The last time that the capital was breach so this is a white house right now that is not communicating other than that 1-minute video where was getting
By still many questions for this white house including what happens next is the president going to do something to try
Try to put this put an end to this all the way physically try to do something to put an end to this we're just not getting any answers
And we also don't know where the vice president is right now he was whisked away from the capital and there's no Clarity right now from the White House
Are the leader I'm the second-in-command of the US government is right now it is just such a remarkable
Turn of events Yumi end end just to Echo what you said before I know you have covered so many of those protests and
And seen the way in which heavily armed and well-fortified police officers respond
To physical destruction to large numbers of people pushing into places where they're not supposed to be
And then to see the this has been going on for hours today we know that the National Guard has been called out in Sun
Some instances here but this idea that this went on for such a long period of time and either the
Capitol Police simply were outnumbered but then to not see a response Amor vigor
Arrest and forceful response has got to just be the contrast between the protest we saw earlier this
What year and what we saw being allowed to go forward today is just striking
As someone who remembers seeing protesters moved out-of-the-way physically with some sort of chemical
Gogas that President Trump to take a picture in front of st. John's Church is someone who's gone to Ferguson Missouri who is cemepro
Protesters they are protesting the death of an unarmed teenager in the street I'm being moved aside with tear
Airgas in with tanks this was the capitol prison some ways being caught off guard it seemed on the president announced
It's several hours ago that he was going to be marching with them I'm marching with these protesters to the capital. but it seems the cat
Capitol Police just simply did not have the force needed at in the Manpower needed to protect the US
It's something that's very scary I'm standing in the other building at NVC I'm their number of them of course that are fed
Buildings in DC but the White House is probably the only other place that you think of as super-safe itsines
The clearest security bubble I've been in the capital so many time and when you enter that pretend that you feel like the security guard
Not going to let anyone in there doesn't need to be there and instead what we saw was a complete breach of that and I should say there were their moments
Sirens were we heard protesters outside the White House but they didn't reach here and some of that is because they're sympathetic
To this White House this way out there supporting this white house I'm as a result we didn't see the same force that we saw at the Capra
Yamiche Alcindor at the White House for us today and as you have been all day today thank you so much
How much be reporting will check back with you later for sure
I am join now by the district attorney the attorney general for the District of Columbia
Call Racine he's on the telephone talking with us today by Mr Racine are you there
I'm here William thank you very much
Very good to have you on the news ever thank you for talking with us I wonder if I could just initially get your react
Action to what is unfolded here today
Well it's several fold and I'll try to be as brief as I can I think Attorney General
Bars message is the plain clear and here unquestionably the truth
What we witnessed today was an American Tragedy
It is outrageous
It is devastating and I would add to it former Attorney General Barr's words
That it was unlawful
Predictable
And encouraged
Bye
None other than
The president of the United States
So this is an unprecedented event
Let me talk about the predictability for moment
We know that these hate groups and militia groups
I'm talking about not the peaceful protesters but the people who broke police line
And salted the capital
And left
Senators and Congress women
Ant-Man
Cuddledown onto the ground
With their gas masks out
And ushered onto
Underground trains
For Refuge the same reference sought by the Vice President of the United States
So this is a tragic day that was predictable because the social media made it clear as to what was going to occur
And I have to tell you you Misha's exactly right
And you to William when you bring into contrast
The black lives matter protests you'll remember
And your pictures and I would urge
You are in your fantastic program to show the images
What you'll see in the images of the defense of the capital during the black lives matter protest
Are Wardens
And other officials from the Bureau of Prisons
Law enforcement heavily
Armed
And in uniform
Bulletproof vest in Mass
From the
A Homeland Security
National Guard
From overwhelmingly States
Better run unfortunately United States run by Republican governors
Protecting the capital
For no reason
Where there was a peaceful protest
And what you saw today
Sadly and I certainly don't mean to demean Capital policeman individually
Usaw Capitol policeman running away
From individuals
Who were breaking into the capitol
Interfacing the offices of our most respected elected officials
Again I'm going to State your niche
She and I were
Are haitian-americans
We love our country of Haiti
It's been beset
Unfortunately by
Political corruption and instability
Sometimes with the cooperation of the United States of America
Batutut on Haiti
It's not something sadly that is unusual
What you had today was a tempted coo d'etat that may still be in process
Because the president claims
Falsely
Becky won in the election
That every Court
Has rejected including a conservative Supreme Court
So now is the time for all responsible Americans
Thank God for the former defense secretaries
And the Business Leaders to finally come out
Let's make clear
That our democracy relies on a peaceful transition of power
Every side feels the loss
But we get on with it
We regrouped
And then we fight a political battle in the next 4 years
It's time for Donald Trump and his supporters to leave Washington DC
Peacefully
It gets too late for them to leave humbly
Or with any decency
Please leave in a manner that is not violent
Do you and you're describing the the words of the president and many of his supporters
As as it's the legal equivalent of incitement to violence and we certainly saw a Rudy Giuliani
Funny this morning standing on amongst those protesters calling for trial by combat
We heard the president before his language all along about theft and robbery an enemy of the people and the knee
Need to rise up into come to Washington do you do you really lathe
This fully at the feet of the president do you really believe that this is
This is a monster of his making
Candidly I do think he Bears great responsibility
Because he's gone we're literally no president has ever gone before
And history will certainly
Reflect this
I also believe that
We have seen the fragility
About our democracy
And the fragility of our democracy is not in our constitution
Nor in our laws nor in our dorms
It's in the human beings
Who are interested
To defend those
Sadly too many
Of those human beings
Succumbed to the withering pressure
Other president of the United States
I would argue the corruption
Other president of the United States
And the fear
The fear
They're losing potential
Supporters and voters
You don't
John F Kennedy wrote a book called profiles of Courage about eight Senators you defied their constituents
And public opinion
Because they did the right thing for the country
That book is noted
For the talk about those eight courageous senators
But it's also noted
For health in the book actually is
What we've seen unfortunately
Our elected officials after elected officials
And former elected officials and responsible
Folks
Fold
At in courageously
At the expense
About great Democratic experience
Attorney general I wonder if you could help us understand a little bit of the four
People who don't know Washington DC and how lawn forcement operates in the city it's a very confusing thing there's a full
Police force for the capital there's the Secret Service for the president the DC has its own police
Force in this case we we saw that this was primarily an issue for the Capitol Police to be dealing
With what other local and or national law enforcement agencies
Should be involved here and do you believe are involved in here
William the question is spoken from someone who knows Washington DC the thank you for that
It's important for
The citizens and residents of the United States to understand
That the District of Columbia
Unfortunately is not a state
We pay taxes we go to war
But we're not a state where I have taxation without representation
That means that our local police
I'm police are neighborhoods in the District of Columbia was 700000 +
Extraordinary washingtonians live and work
But we have the Capitol Police responsible for policing the capitol
We have the Secret Service
That's broad responsibility for protecting of course president other elected officials
And you know when the other
National Assets
We have to park police
That is in charge of protecting our
Parks here in the District of Columbia that are beautiful
And so in a way
The District of Columbia is one of the most
Over-policed in the sense of having so many law-enforcement officials
Generally speaking
Actually work well together
I think the break down here
Is that
The Metropolitan Police Department is trying
All of its might and I think you're doing
To be honest
A very good job under their the new Chief Conte
But we haven't dissonance because it appears that
Some crucial Federal partners
Frankly didn't come to play today
And I can only think that the order came from somewhere
Hi
Because
I know those Federal
Police officers
They go to work every day to do the right thing think they were frankly told to not post today
I want to follow up on that in a moment but we are just getting some Ward from the apparently the sergeant of arms in
Inside the capitol announced an all-clear that there was at least some sense that the majority of protesters have been
Either contained or the threat is minimizing allegedly there wasn't some Applause that broke out
Inside the capitol so hopefully that is some good news are working to try to confirm that but attorney general you were saying but
For about this this issue of of the difficulty of a city not necessarily having
Full government over its own Affairs we know that the mayor of DC Muriel Bowser has a
Established a 6 p.m. curfew tonight in the city can you give us a sense of what other
Resources are going to be deployed to the city what concerns you have about what might unfold as this protest continues
Well yes William debayer indeed did Issue
6 p.m. curfew and we're getting close to that 6 p.m. our 18 more minutes and I'm
I'm urging anyone who was watching your show and I hope many people are
Aren't you here to that curfew
The Metropolitan Police Department is going to enforce
That curfew
In the District of Columbia that means our police officers
Will enforce the curfew and will arrest
Individuals who are violating the curfew
Those charges will be reviewed by my office
I end up where they evidence supports it will bring
The charges
There are other charges
That can be brought in regards to what we saw on television today
Many of those charges in fact almost all of them
Or not chargeable by my office which is the DC Attorney General's office but instead
Only chargeable by the federal prosecutor
These events happened on federal property is that correct
Partly but not fully
I'm partly yes but not fully because the federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia
Given DC's lack of full autonomy
Is the principal prosecutor
Four felonies
And adult offenses
And the federal prosecutor that is the US attorney District of Columbia
Is appointed by the president of the United States
So if you thought that
There was meddling into the Michael Flynn case after he pled guilty twice and knowledge that
Perjured himself and violated the law
Then you know
That
Unfortunately the president United States
Interferes in the lawful and dutiful operation of federal prosecution disappeared
Question William
For you and the press to follow up on
What charges are the federal prosecutors
Bringing
In light of today's events
I'm in last attorney general I just have to wonder as someone who has spent so much of his life in
Career in Washington DC and in many ways charged with the protection of the people who live here and
Looking after the residents of this city this is got to be an incredibly dark day as I said at the
Beginning many of us watch what was going on today and the the the congressmen and
Senators Gathering to go through what we were been told would be a formal Counting
Certifying whatever the term of art is of the final votes of this election and then to see
See it evolve into this chaos I mean as it as a as a longtime resident here and a member of our local government this is
It's got to be an incredibly dark and tragic day for for you
Well you don't I'm going to beg to differ a bit notwithstanding the assault
Monarch democracy
That was aided and abetted encouraged
I'm in Jenna frankly you know known in advance by the president
Steaks
The residents of the District of Columbia to the contrary
They follow the rules
They were not out in the District of Columbia they did not participate in
Patient with hate groups
Residents of the District of Columbia I would argue
Are at the front of the seat of autocracy
So they saw the mistreatment of protesters who happen to be overwhelmingly protesting against
Police excesses
On behalf of
People of color who you know the statistics clearly revealed and treated differently and violently
And I've also seen what happened today
And they're going to see what's going to happen tonight and so there may be weeping tonight
They'll be joy in the morning
Adobe offense
That residents of the District of Columbia
Have honored Eros to be
Citizens of this country
Kayaking peacefully respecting protesters
And going along their business
Do DC residents we get it
We want the rest of the country to get it
Attorney general call Racine the Attorney General of the District of Columbia thank you very much for
Joining us on this really remarkable Dame's great to talk to you thank you
And we would like to turn back to to who you've been with us all day today
Jon Hart and Danny Weiss we are grateful to you for both being here all day long and
John Hart to you first I wonder you both of you have spent a great deal of time on cap
Capitol Hill know many people who have been worked on Capitol Hill and currently work on Capitol Hill have you heard any dispatcher
Just for many of your former colleagues about this most recent news that we heard apparently that the sergeant-at-arms said
This all seems to be well inside the Capitol Building have you heard any of that
Yes
Today whose reports corroborating what we've heard from Lisa and others
I think the hope is that member see this through tonight no matter how long it takes whether they have to clear the capital of Peru
Protesters I think it's important that this disruption to our democracy not be rewarded by any undue delay
I think I members want to see this through and and do whatever it takes to to get this process
Says moving forward so that their voices can be heard it it's a very sad day I think
As a republican it's it's profoundly embarrassing as a conservative
It enrages me that we can't debate the issues that are important to the country you don't
I want to see a fight a fair fight on everything from the size and scope of government government spending where we should do
Defund the police whether we should have medicare-for-all whether we should have a green New Deal all of those claws
Houses that I care about have been derailed and disrupted by these protests and Donald Trump does share Fairmount
Blame for promoting it and inciting it and tolerating it and I think
I'm standing in the Republican party is going to be severely demand damaged
Hopefully after today and we can't continue on this path that were on right now
We can't tolerate disruptions to the Democratic process and I think Republicans and Democrats are going to agree to that move
Forward as quickly as they can do you think that this the events of today change
Change any votes in the sense do you think that this will give any people who wanted to
Take more of a public stand and make these unfounded allegations of there being fraud you think any of those
Boats change now because of this
It's it's possible there's an article out now that Senator Ted Cruz is under pressure to
Not proceed with any objections once they're able to resume the counting of the Electoral of the sea
Certifications of Electoral College votes the dynamic has been changed.
Question coming into today was
What was Donald Trump's role going to be
In the Republican party and in the country over the next two to four years the results in Georgia
Kind of added a wrinkle to that clearly undermining his stature
And then the question now is does today do today's events
Significantly undermine Donald Trump stature
In the Republican Party
And more importantly among this base that really I think
Republicans have been afraid of that that it was President Trump that created this base and the Republicans
Running for office in 2024
Have been appealing to that bass by challenging the Electoral College votes
Do they know want to separate themselves from that because of this
Unprecedented disgraceful and violent activity that is taking place today
Or are they beholden to that bass
Because as he questioned earlier I believe it was her
Maybe they no one has any control over them
Having big been Unleashed
And who has control over them at this point
So there's a lot of questions re-raise today has flipped the script
Hopefully in some important ways
It's going to take a few days probably to be able to get back to normal
And to count
The remainder of the of the balance
It's a really tragic day for the country
It's a shame that the president was allowed to get to this point but in fact he's been an able
Sadly why is party not everyone in it but
The majority this party has really enabled this president to go forward
He created fear in them that if they did not support everything that he did that was abnormal
They would pay a price
Including his family saying that they would Primary people
So it's a very it's a tragic tragic day
And we do need to move on there's electron was correct
A lot of important issues to talk about in the middle of a pandemic
We have to be dealing with the vaccine
Making sure it's distributed over at a faster rate and effectively and get the economy up and running today's event
It's looking a lot like a super spreader event to me and I certainly hope that it isn't but you have a lot of unmasked people close together
Weather going wherever they want and the capital is going to have to clean that up as well
A John Hart I wonder if you would pick up on this idea that we're hearing that do you think that today's event
And the lead of the long-term impact of this does dislodge certain members of the Republic
Looking partying and detach them in some way from the spell that's being described that he has had over member
The Republican Party
But I do think I do think of all the stomach said it's too early to know exactly how it look a year ago
I was part of the impeachment panel and spent several several days actually opposing
Impeachment process and in defending the president's position but I will tell you that today
The president is much more danger of being removed from office then he was there in the impeachment process and
And the reason is is that there are now significant questions as to whether or not he's committed treason has he promoted
And incitement against the Democratic process so I think heading into today there was a sense that
The president was already in denial that he had lost an election
And Republicans had a choice of do they want to appeal to what I would describe as a majority of the minority and
Another word 68% of the public thought the election a measure of fraud of the election that it was unfair
60% of the country believe that but only a third 60% of Republicans dead but only a third of the
Make sure that boys so if Republicans won a only appeal to a majority of the minority
They will continue to be a minority power party
If they want to appeal to a majority they need someone besides Donald Trump as the leader of the park
And I think after today that greatly increases the chances that some
One else is going to step up and become the standard bear whether it's a Tom Cotton weather is Nikki Haley
My parents Ben Sasse there a lot of people waiting in the wings who want to be a leader that will
Take us to a place again where we can debate the issues that Danny and I would have a respectful dialogue about
That we want to get to the country to a point where we can just have her ideas heard that we could have at the bait and let the best
The idea when that's what America is about that's what democracy is about John Hart just sticking with you for a moment I'm still struck
By that though this idea that you believe that the president is closer today to being removed from office then he was back during the impeach
Because you're saying you think that it is I understand the argument that the
The president that many of his critics would say he is guilty of treason do you believe that there are any Republicans in the car
Congress or the Senate who would share that belief and in a meaningful way
Yes yeah I would say it's very significant number of Republicans who would believe that the question
It is are they willing to cross the president so President Trump's what what folks don't understand is that
Set the Loyalty that quote Republicans have the Trump is a mile wide and an inch deep
So as a conservative I didn't support Trump 2016 I wrote it for
Former 20/20 if your runs again there's no way I would vote for him
And he was he was compliant to a lot of conservative ideas and that's why conservative
I've supported them now he's clearly shown in the past few weeks that he's he's become unhinged
He has become what but the left warned against and as Republicans we have to acknowledge the fact
Sad that he is doing incredible damage to the party and the conservative movement Within
Is with us today he encouraged the vice president
To essentially commit sedition to to accident unconstitutional layaway which
His own White House counsel said was unconstitutional
And then he just he released the video trying to calm people down but then repeated the same you know
Conspiracy theory that
Inspire people to come protest legitimate
The issues that can be raised about the election I think there are two irrational positions one is that Donald Trump won in Al
Landslide that is completely ridiculous and irrational but it is also irrational to say there was no fraud
Anywhere and that's not that's not an accurate statement either in the state of Pennsylvania there were 10.000 votes
Question but clearly they were not 80.000 votes in question so there was not an outcome to Terminal 2
Question in my mind is in the minds of eighty-two 85% of Republicans so again I think
But the moment was hap here's the political dinner at Dynamic now is that Republicans have to measure in a set
How much damage has been done by today's disgraceful bats and whether we like it or not Republicans
Wilshire District portion a disproportionate share of the blame for what's happened
And Republicans may take an opportunity to distance themselves from this president
Are various various numbers of actions whether that's not going through with these electoral challenges
Something traumatic and I think it's going to depend on on the events that unfold over the next few hours it's very fluid and
A tragically dark situation that were watching indeed
You're so that we have left what is your sense of how the Democratic party itself ought to respond to this
Former FBI director James Comey saying this was obviously before today's events but him saying
What he knows about the president and his actions thus far he would not choose to prosecute the president do you think
But it is the best thing for the country and for the Democratic party which looks like they're going to be leaving the Congress to send
And it and the White House that they should pursue
Amor
Enforcement prosecution of the president
That's a great question I think I don't know the answer to that I will say that the only success
Over would be one where the Democrats and Republicans can come together and agree on a
An approach so if the speaker and leader McConnell were able to have a meeting about this tonight or tomorrow
And decide if this is really crossed everybody's Redline
Then perhaps they could do something together rank-and-file members of the democratic caucus are irate
As they should be
And some of them will choose to recommend either articles of impeachment or they some
Call Don
Criminal investigation based on the phone call
Georgia the other day by the present but the Democrats cannot do something on the
Their own that would be that would only be a message action on their part they need to do something in.
With Republicans if in fact the Republicans have now decided
At the horse they hitch themselves to
Has been a disaster
Indeed Danny Weiss and John Hart I'd like to thank you both for all of your help
Getting us through this really remarkable day we will talk with you later I am sure thank you both
Very very much for being here we now turn back to the PBS NewsHour I'm William brangham thank you very
3 much for joining us
Good
Hang on Judy Woodruff on the NewsHour tonight chaos at the Capitol supporting
Ring and encouraged by President Trump storm the US Capitol breaking Windows push
Pushing through police with shots fired inside as lawmakers were gathered to count the votes
Firming president-elect in the election a disturbing seeing the country as never Witness
We devote the entire program to this moment and talk to one of the winners from the Georgia Senate race
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That by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you thank you
The nation today has witnessed a grave breach
Each of its Democratic traditions for the first time in American history supporters of the losing presidential
Show candidate forcibly disrupted the official counting of electoral votes John yang
Our coverage Capital today when
Pro Trump demonstrators Greek barricades and pushed their way inside as lawmakers were in the
Process of making president-elect binds election official protest
Scuffled with police the capital was put on lockdown while law enforcement tried to regain control
Tear gas was fired outside the building to disperse the crowd and both Chambers were empty
Vice president Mike Pence was rushed to safety the vice-president later tweeted the violence and just
Destruction taking place at the US Capitol must stop and it must stop now House minority leader
Kevin McCarthy who supports Congressional efforts to challenge the election's outcome described hearing gunshots
Condemned the violence as unacceptable a DC law enforcement official said at least one person had been
Gunshot an extraordinary sight inside the house chamber police drawing their guns
While protesters tried to force their way inside demonstrators could be seen occupying the dais
Another image showed a protester inside house Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office all 1100
Members of the DC National Guard were activated in addition Virginia and Maryland called up their National
Guardsman to help reinforce the capitol DC mayor Muriel Bowser imposed a 6 p.m. curfew
Matthew in Wilmington Delaware prison or like Biden condemned the violence but we're saying
Are small number of extremists dedicated the lawlessness
This is not the scent it's disorder it's chaos borders on
Sedition and it must end now and presidential
Trump released a recorded message which repeats unfounded claims about the election I know your pain
I know you're hurt we had an election that was stolen from us it was a landfill
Slide election and everyone knows it especially the other side but you have to go home now
We have to have peace we have to have Law and Order
The chaos with the capital came after President Trump urged protesters to march on the building
We will never give up we will never concede it doesn't happen you don't conceive with his theft advice
He spoke at a rally on the ellipse shortly before a joint session got underway airing off repeated
And baseless claims of election fraud many of the thousands of protesters who descended on the city
Stop the president's call from happening because if we don't
Again
Some said they wanted the vice president to refuse to count votes from swing states that missed
Did Trump lost what needs to happen today is Vice President Pence nice
Collectors envelopes for the states that I mentioned set them aside and send it all back to those State Legend
It was a desire expressed by the president himself
That will be a sad day for our country after the vice president said that
The Constitution doesn't give him the authority to do that the president tweeted that Mr Pence didn't have the card
Courage to do what should have been done to protect our country before the chaos broke out inside the capitol it was divine
Vice president himself who called The Joint session to order Madam speaker members of Congress pursuant to the
Constitution and the laws of the United States the Senate and House of Representatives are meeting a joint session
One by one the state's Electoral College certificates were opened and examined
Go to the state of Alabama seems to be regular inform and authentic put a process that in the past have been
Point we ceremonial turned into were sharply partisan dispute as some Republicans challenge president
Trump's losses in key States beginning with Arizona are there any objections to counting the certificate
The vote of the State of Arizona Republican representative Paul gosar of Arizona
For myself and 60 of my colleagues to object to the counting of the Electoral ballots from Arizona
He was joined by Texas Senator Ted Cruz sending lawmakers to debate the objection and their respective change
When Republican leader Mitch McConnell opened the Senate debate he seemed to warn of what was to come
The voters the courts and the stage
It all smoke it all spoken
If we overrule them it would damage our Republic
Forever this election were overturned by mirror alligator
Directions from the losing side our democracy would ever a death spiral
Would never see the whole nation except at election again
Every four years would be a Scramble for power at any cost Cruise deny View
He was trying to set aside any votes he said he was trying to make sure they were legitimate by investigating them
Recent polling shows that 39% of Americans believe the election that just
Record quote was richt
You may not agree with that assessment
But it is nonetheless a reality for nearly half the country Democrats refuse those objecting if
Casting doubt on the Democratic process Congress does not determine the outcome of Elections the people do
The Congress is not endowed with the power to administer elections are States
Are given that power across the capital in the house chamber many of the same arguments were made
Colorado Republican representative Lauren boebert extra days are added via judicial
Fiat
To allow voter registration these ten days were added after voting had already begun this is completely
Indefensible you cannot change the rules of an election while it is under way and expect the American people
To chopped it but Democrats like representative Joe neguse of Colorado dismissed those claims
Today we hear from some in the stable not all
But some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle vague claims of fraud
No substance
No evidence
No facts
No explanation for why over 88 judges across this land have rejected
The very same claims when order had not been restored in the capital by day's end how
House leaders decided to call it quits and try to finish dealing with the Arizona objection tomorrow
When they reconvene Republican lawmakers plan to objective results into more States Georgia and Pennsylvania
Objections at the root of the emotions that fueled the protests that disrupted the process today
The PBS NewsHour on John Yang we have two new update
As this story unfolds we have learned that lawmakers will return tonight to count the official elect
Provost and there has now been confirmation from two news organizations that the woman who was shot in
Inside the capitol has died it has been an extraordinary and now tragic day
Are Lisa Desjardin was inside the capitol when it was stormed by protesters are you Michel sender has been at the
The White House throughout this day Lisa to you first this news that the woman
And who was shot has died past and even greater Paul all over what was already
Horrific set of developments
Really reckon at all with the events of today as I'm talking to you I see next to me you can see next to me
Play the sergeant of arms of the House of Representatives just passing me on his way into the house chamber and I also saw high-ranking
It looks to me like they are getting
So I'm able to assume we know that they have cleared and secure
3rd and Capitol Police the US Capitol building and again as you say Judy officials are
Planning to meet and continue and finish the Electoral College count
Certification of Joe Biden as president tonight there is a curfew in place as you said in Washington DC
We've had announcements here I don't think those Were Meant For Us those are meant for protest
Mountain before sort of siren and bell sound that warned people if they did not get home
Before this hour they would be subject to arrest if they were outside I believe that was meant for protester
It does look like we're going to be able to make it back
Officials of the house are on their way in there now and Lisa course were trying to understand
And whether they plan to go or they do plan to go forward we've heard a we just seen a statement by whip Clyburn
Very close to speaker Pelosi saying they plan to get the business done of counting these electoral
What we don't know is if all the objections that had been entertained that have been
Planned that they're going to go forward with all that given now what's happened
Very wide universe of Republicans who were objectors they don't all feel the same
About why they are injecting some of them felt that the election was fraudulent
To make a point and just have a day of debate so that is a question then that leads to how much time
Time will be used up how many Republicans will speak to actually try and debate this issue or because of what
Happens here the consequences are sort of this departure from reality that we saw with the
Election and now we seen manifest physically here in the capital. Change how many Republicans
Pick up tonight objecting to the election well we will see where we're going to be cover
Bring it closely watching it very closely and now to UU Miche at the White House where the Press
Went left from the White House this morning to go speak to these protesters
Later ended up mopping the capital and now you may she's made some statements but he stay
Stands by his view that the election was stolen
That's right today we saw the physical manifestations and consequences of the president
Continuing to spread disinformation about the election and his lost in the 2020 election the president is not
Not backing down from that even though as you noted as we've noted someone has died on someone that has
People have been terrorized inside the US Capitol violent protesters breach the walls and still the
President persist with misinformation with disinformation what we saw today was that consequences of of
Conspiracy theories and it's really that conspiracy theories have consequences that false allegations have consequences
Is that the delusional and at times debunked claims have consequences and I wouldn't
Point out a tweet that the president sent I'm just a few minutes ago here's what he said justifying it seems the actions of these
These protesters he said they're all these are the things and events that happened when it's sacred Landslide election victory
Is so unceremonious Lee and viciously Stripped Away from a great Patriots weapon badly and unfairly
Treated for so long go home with love and peace remember this day forever that is the present lending his voice
In some ways justifying protesters actions of protesters who felt entitled to come to the US Capitol
How to break Windows I'm to do all of these things that have made this day so extraordinary and we see all
The president continue to double down as President Joe Biden is telling President Trump tonight to step up saying that he needs
National television and condemn this and tell people that this was wrong the president has said that there should be calm
But he has not done that he has not gone to take questions he has not gone before television cameras as of now he's been watching all of this
Unfolds from the safety of the White House at all day had to remain calm while the rest of the city has been chaotic
Rest of the city chaotic and and things have gotten so out of hand yamiche we are not only seeing demek
Craft call for the president to be impeached when he only has two weeks left in office we saw that stunning statement
From the National Association of Manufacturers one of the major associations here in Washington
Republican-leaning calling on the vice president Mike Pence to consult
Call with a cabinet on having a president removed from office and again this was only two weeks left
Do things stand right now between the president and the vice president president was criticizing his own number two
You today I'll for not too and going through with rejecting the election results for the Riff in the
The Republican Party grew wider today with the president lashing out at the vice president saying that he did not do what the president wanted
Which is the band The Count vice president Pence said that it was his constitutional duty to have a ceremonial
I'm Rosa right now things are tense between the vice president and the president the vice-president has also been more pointed in his criticism
A protracted while President Trump has Justified some interaction another thing to know that you said there are manufacturing groups
Allies of the president openly talking about the 25th Amendment openly saying that the president might not be able to be trusted with an X
14 days which is all that remains in his presidency but look at all that happened Duty ingest one day
Day just one day someone lost their life for their lot of people who are worried that President Trump simply will not be responsible with his time and couldn't continue
Incite violence in their eyes and and uniche just quickly do we know what
The president's plans are for the rest of the evening or for tomorrow is a White House saying anything
2 to about that
Clear based on people that talking to the president is going to continue to watch television going to continue to take to Twitter going to
Continue to send tweet that will likely have to be labeled as many of them work today by Twitter as misinformation and disinformation
He's going to continue to do that but there is no clear Communications plan here this of course on a day where I
Americans are looking for leadership or Americans are wondering how can we all stay safe in this moment the president does not offer
Bring any of that will be have seen its former White House officials including former Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney as well as the former White House
Communications director Elizabeth saying that this has to stop saying this needs to be condemned by the president
More strong terms I'm thinking of a republican official in Georgia Gabriel Sterling who said someone was going to get killed and
The President should condemn all of this different activity the president didn't do that weeks ago and now we are here today with the president
Can you not to do that alright give me shall send her at the White House are
Lisa Desjardin at the capital lease or last we spoke with you you were making your way back into the Capitol Building hoping
You get there as soon as possible as they cleared out Lisa yamiche thank you both and will
We coming back to you throughout the evening as Risa reported it was a chaotic scene outside
The capital and inside are on the navase was on the outside she was there and she joins me now so
I'mma tell us he had to move a little bit farther away tell us where things stand that's right
Pretty as you know here in Washington DC that curfew has gone into play so the streets are very quiet but they seem
Paramount mail browser has said that unless you are an essential person meant to be outside right now everyone should be off the street
I've been doing their jobs moving people and asking people to move away from the capitol grounds and off the streets
Things are quiet now but as you mentioned we did have to move locations a couple of times once earlier from the capital
Brown's because the protesters have been out there as the hours went by and as time went on and they
Realize that they weren't going to be able to breathe anymore of the entryway as they were in a standoff with Capitol Police
Turn on the media and the number of those protesters went towards the media pen where a number of foreign journalist Warehouse
Begin tearing the way the barricades taking their gear throwing water bottles and yelling
About boys are NewsHour team move to a different location
A group of trump supporters who were leaving the Capitol grounds rally and again confronted us calling us fake news and
Harassing us to relocate once again so the streets right now
The capital is now secure so we have to remember what it's called for the capital to get there and it took the involvement of
DC capitol police riot gear SWAT team
National Guard troops moved in to support those forces on the ground because
All today would just a remarkable scene unfold on the steps of the Capitol and to be clear the people who were there
Were there because they heard the president's message loud and clear and they responded and acted on it every single protein
After we spoke to said that they were there because they believe the election was stolen because they believed
Would not duly elected and because in their minds they could not see this process before they felt it was fun Democrat
Country was being stolen from them people who told us they trust no one but themselves and the president
Don't even trust that the pandemic is real no one with so many of them were very tightly packed together
Close group of people who have been very closely listening to the president's messaging for a very long time
Have internalize and believe all of the false claim from the lies he's repeated and today they acted upon it and that's
We saw unfold on the steps of the Capitol today truly stunning turn of events
Any sense from looking at these protesters either by what they said or how they would dress
Rest or whatever whatever they said to you but that suggests they were organ
In some way that they came together as a group what did you see it in terms of that
Other another sort of disparate groups would rally together so there was a group of Veterans for Trump and women for Trump
We spoke to some people who actually flew in from California family member sisters and their husbands were flown in to get
Weather just hit. he here at supporters of President Trump people who repeated
The number of poor statements we heard from conspiracy theorist on flags and memorabilia
White nationalist images and messages as well so these are all group that we know we have
Cupboard for a very long time that's very strong messaging and circles on social media and elsewhere and once a message
Seated into that Community it spreads very quickly and is very deeply internalized
A lot of those same messages so a number of them had those things that they didn't seem as if there was anyone law
Large overarching thing bringing them together other than the fact that they were there to support President Trump
The message they have to say Judy appointment haven't reported in up this was an overwhelmingly white group
There were very few people of color and we know in the past when we seen the president respond to the black lives matter protest for exam
Calling people frogs are peacefully took to the streets in protest of racial Injustice that was not the response we heard from him today
Is reporting on today's events from outside the capital
Why she is in downtown Washington right now I'm watching as the protesters
As the night begins in the city and as the curfew has gotten underway just in the last 20 minutes I'm not
Thank you and we step back now to reflect a little more on this remarkable moment with Mary McCord she was at
Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice she now teaches at Georgetown
Law school Barry McCord we appreciate your being with us again I know you just been listening to
Omnitalk about the makeup of the people who showed up in Washington today who showed up at the Cow
Capital you're somebody who has studied some of these extremist groups including white supremacy
What do you make of who these people are what motivated them to come to do
What they were doing today well it's not surprising to see these groups showing up this is so
Something that we have seen in the making for some time now and we have a combination of extremist
Far-right extremists including conspiracy theorist those who buy into debunked
False claims of everything from election fraud to qanon theories about various elected officials.
Democrats and and Republicans but we also have
Unlawful criminal street gangs and militias from different states now
Is he of course is not an open carry of jurisdiction and
Doesn't even allow concealed carry unless you have a concealed carry permit from DC they don't recognize permits from other
Jurisdictions but that doesn't mean that people haven't been concealing weapons on their person under their coats at set
And these are far-right unlawful private militias who are big Trump supporters
Also probably seen some some more mainstream Republicans who who legitimately are concerned
That there might have been some fraud in the election but they are in with
These much more extreme individuals who I think are contributing to a real radicalization
And the type of violence and Rebellion that we start today at the Capitol
From the work that you've done when we when the group got to the point today where they went to the capital they weren't simply content
It's a protest outside the capitol they breached the perimeter is that got to the doors they started breaking windows
Breaking through the doors going inside ransacking or walking through basically taking off
Over the building what what kind of leadership does it take for something like that
To happen is it spontaneous or is it something that you think was probably work out and planned ahead of
So I've been watching this developed for months now even even before the election
As the president was even prior to the election suggesting that mail-in ballots were susceptible to fraud
That we weren't going to be able to trust the results of the election and of course he's doubled down on that post-election and this is
Red meat for these groups the online activity of the far-right extremist
Mint is extremely prolific and it is
Is in some cases encouraging violence in other cases encouraging overthrow of the government and whatever they needed
Did you to do what they consider stopping the steel the president has been egging it on it every turn
Not only has he himself promoted conspiracy theories and false claims of election fraud that
I have been to bunk'd through at in every single court and of course were you know detective Secretary of State raffensberger
In the call on Saturday you know tried to push that point-by-point about the falsity of those claims and he
Hittin the president at the same time as giving this read me to the Beast giving this red meat to the most extreme Estella
Elements of his supporters has also refused not only refused to denounce civil unrest would encourage
We saw that coming through the weekend as he was encouraging people to come today we start even more so this
This morning and this evening when he was encouraging that march on the capital and and the
This evening while he was telling people to go home at the same time he was saying I know your pain they allow
Which was stolen we wanted I want to know why inside it was stolen you can't tell people to go home and be peaceful
All you're telling them the election has been stolen so the leader there's been no leadership and I and I also
I put this on the hands of the present but he has been enabled by those in the White House and those in Congress who refuse to stand up
And right after the election you might remember that some of them said we're humoring him all the time for humor
Long past this this violence this woman killed the other people who will be injured
This is on their hands and now the question a lot of us have is will the death of this one
Woman and will the police from so many people including prominent Republicans and supporters of the president
Set this stand down at the stop will that have any effect on these people we will certainly be watching
How to say Mary McCord thank you very much
At the same time there was so much chaos unfolding at the Capitol today we saw a shift of power
Power in the US Senate after the vote in the state of Georgia
Both run-off elections and William brangham has a story with the balance of power in
In the US Senate and its hands history was made in Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock now senator
Federal act defeated Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler to become the first black senator in the state's history
Injustice afternoon Jon ossoff Who challenged Republican incumbent David Perdue with the
Clear the winner of his race he will be Georgia's first-ever Jewish Senator Warnock who's the pastor at
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta celebrated his victory yesterday and his place in history
Because this is America the 82-year old hands that used to pick somebody else's cotton went to
The poles and picked her youngest son to be a United States Senator
Gabriel Sterling a top election official in Georgia and a republican spoke to reporters this morning
It was an impressive feat by whoever did it to get a hundred thousand people to show up on a January election who
Did not show up and then November election it was the highest turnout for a Georgia runoff election on record
Suburban voters in the growing Atlanta metro area delivered the Lion's Share of votes to Democrats.
Warnock & across the state black voters were key to their success
Oriole candidate Stacey Abrams has made black voter turnout her Focus years of organizing against vote
Voter suppression has increased access to marginalize voters and is transform Georgia from a Republican
Stronghold to a competitive political Battleground all SoftBank Georgia voters for electing him
You were for me or against me I'll be for you in the US Senate I will serve all the people of the state
I will give everything I've got to ensuring that George's interest are represented in the US Senate
Austin Warnock swin is a major feed for Democrats Lefler and Purdue both strong Trump loyalists
Have signal they to plan to fight Leffler Who was appointed to the senate in 2019 has yet to come
Deed she addressed her supporters late last night this is a game of inches
We're going to win this election we're going to save this country and statement early this morning produce
You told supporters quote we will mobilize every available resource to ensure all legally cast ballots
Properly counted with all the final votes still being counted it remains unclear whether the margins will be
Be great enough for any losing candidate to request a Statewide recount for the PBS NewsHour
I'm William brangham even for veterans of Capitol Hill this has been a day
I like no other and with the results in Georgia what you just heard about with both Democrats winning what are turnout
Two man who have led the senate for their respective parties during the time the last time the said it was full
Split 50/50 and that was in 2001 Trent Lott republican from Mississippi and Tom Dash
Democrat from South Dakota share the power and we are so glad to welcome both of you back to the news
It's very good to see you I'm going to start with you
Ask you about the events that unfolded today at the Capitol President Trump continues to win
Assist the election was stolen his supporters basically overtook the capitol today
A woman has died in part of what happened as a result
What are you what do you take away from this
I enjoyed being with you over the years when I was still in the Senate but today is just been to me
I've just been to almost to the point of tears and it's disgusting when I see people
Breaking into the United States capital breaking windows and going to the floor of the Senate and sitting in the
Presiding officers chair
That is just disgusting to me
And so you know I have nothing but they're just sadness and the Capitol building
Freedom
And you know what was going on inside that building was a constitutional process so that was a very
Sciatic position and I hope you don't have it anymore
Tom daschle spend a lot of time in that building
Representing the state of South Dakota what what what can you say about today
Hi Judy I don't know how you could possibly articulate the feelings that all of us have the tragedy the shock
Sickness clearly demonstrated today breaking Windows going onto the
Fleur doing all that destructive work across the building that's a secret
Temples of democracy and it was abused today unlike anything we've seen and well over a hundred year
Tragic is tragic and I hope those responsible or are held to account
And and and that we never see something like this ever again
Tom denchel who is responsible
A lot of responsibility to go around frankly I think the president has to take some of that responsibility himself with what he said
This morning with this afternoon I don't think you can avoid taking responsibility when you make a comment
Like that I think there are others as well we've been sighted this kind of violence it's all those who are behind the
Conspiracy theories the the all of the social media
That goes on by the day it's just I think all of that has now reached a crescendo here and
Wishing the results we've seen a death tragically this afternoon with Shane destruction of property we seen Dessa
The creation of one of the most important buildings in the entire country all of that has to be understood and those
Responsible have to be accounted for
Trent Lott how do you see who is responsible here and how much of it is it should be late at the theater
The president will certainly he has to take a part of the blank nowadays remarks today
They certainly I think contributed to what happened look
I don't like the results of the elections but I must say that his conduct since the election and and today
Even it's just not what we respect for my president of the United States but here's what I want talk about Judy
Here we are we had a terrible day
We got to fix the picture sent it
But the country has a lot of these so a lot of things that need to be done
Are we going to be able to rise to the occasion are we going to be able to make a 50-50 Senate work
Like Foundation I found a way to do in 2001 that is the big question
Well what do you think Center lot because right now their Republican Senators
Was Raising objections to the very counting of the of the electoral vote that led to
It is leading to Joe Biden being elected being inaugurated president how is that going to lend it
Itself to the two parties working together down the line in the future
Judy it takes communication that takes respect one of the reasons that we one of the ways we will get things done his
I talked a lot we had a friendship I respected him I trusted him and we were
Permit to find a way to deal with the situation at hand and do something for the country hits
Called a communication and is called leadership is a terrible day
Get Beyond just got to be some blame and maybe some you know and maybe even some prosecution's
But we got to find a way to get the the Congress and Senate
And the house
And the president work together
Joe Biden is going to be post United States
We only have one president at the time
We need to find a way to make it work and so
A lot of that is going to depend on I miss McConnell and Chuck Schumer can they make it work
And senator daschle do you think do you think the two sides can work together
Well you've got the whole Purity I mean there's really no alternative to our country so desperately need
Needs leadership leadership across-the-board
We've got so much to do with covid and with the economy and with all of the challenges were facing both
Domestically and internationally that's going to require leadership it's going to require partnership it's going to require
A new level of understanding of the challenges were facing and what happens if we fail so
You got to be hopeful and and you know I think perhaps this could be a a trance
Transformational moment maybe people could see this for what it is and recognize that we bought them doubt you can't get much lower
And what we saw today let's climb out of this whole let's try to put some pieces together and make this country work
Better again
I think a lot of people agree with that Senator lot but they're wondering how it can happen because
Cuz you seen such vitriol since the election and Aunt again you've seen most
Applicants in the house House of Representatives and most Republicans in the Senate
The vast majority supporting the president in his belief that the election was stolen that it
Needs to be examined again and again even though it's already been through the courts I'm just struggling to understand
How do the two sides come together given the hard feelings
The strong beliefs that have kept them apart
Well it won't be easy and I should note that you know the majority of the Republican Senators
Did not support you no disposal doing away or a challenging the Electoral College
They're talk to a couple of them today and they are upset about what went on
The capital dates they're concerned about how do we get things done I mean we still are face to get pandemic
We need to do more about getting this virus under control when dealing with the economy is Tom so happily
Infrastructure in America
And I'm hoping that the Joe Biden when he does get in office
Will be a Healer and but also reach out to senators and congressmen in both parties
Okay look elections over
We got big problems we got to deal with
And I want to work with you
To get results
It really begins at the White House
And we could leave seen how
That leadership didn't create problems sometime and also it gets in the Congress in the House and Senate are leaders of both parties
Got you
And do something for our country I think they will
Was an Awakening event for us
And we got a lot done in the aftermath in the fall of the after 9/11
We work together and actually the approval of the Senate went up to a historic High because it's always working together
Country at a difficult time
Now that's true the country did come together up until the war the dispute over the war in Iraq but Senator Dashiell
Even if Joe Biden tries to work with Republicans presumably you're still going to have President Trump
They're the people who support him advocating for something else and still insisting the
Election was stolen well that's right I think they're going to have a decision
They're going to have to make sure they follow what does the Republican Party look like going forward it could be the party of it
Trent Lott and you know a constructive party with conservative values that that has an important role to play in this guy
Free sport could be the destructive approach that present President Trump is reflected now for four years that's going
Give me a choice every Republican has to make how do we Define the party going forward I'm just hopeful there enough people though
We'll follow the model that Trenton show exemplified and all of his public life and and and
Take that approach
This is a critical moment they've got a decision to make and I would hope they put their country first
And Senator lot very quickly you think you think the to divide the big divide
Side of the Republican Party can be healed
People are angry and upset than a lot of accusations but at some point
In elections are in political decisions in life you have to say we will give it our best shot
But now we got to move forward if he thinking about positive things to do for the country in and work
I know a lot of Republican Senators still and I know there are a lot of them that are thinking about that it back up
Today reach out to me and say the works
And I've done that so at least they're beginning to think that way and certainly I would be glad
Anytime and
I respected him I admired him and I trusted it and that
Doing a lot of good things for the country
Well we are very glad to have the two of you speaking with us this evening thank you
You so much Trent Lott Senator Tom daschle we appreciate it wish
Well wish you both very well
We will return to coverage of this extraordinary day in Washington and just a moment but first hear our
Are some of today's other news president-elect Biden tapped Federal appeals court judge Merrick Garland
Want to be us attorney general the NewsHour has confirmed the mr. Biden will announce the nomination tomorrow
Tomorrow in 2016 President Obama nominated Garland for the US Supreme Court but the Sun
Senate Republican majority refused to consider the nomination officials Nationwide
Press to accelerate covid-19 vaccinations as a US death toll reached 360
Thousand the CDC reported that about 5.3 million people have now gotten shot
Out of 17 million doses distributed Alex Azar Secretary of Health and Human Services said that
Vaccinations should not be limited to Priority groups if those people don't come forward fast enough
Those are simply recommendations and they should never stand in the
The way of getting shots in arms instead of keeping vaccine in the freezer
Or ever heaven forbid wasting a dose of vaccine in a vial
Meanwhile officials in California have ordered hospitals in hard-hit counties to take pay
Patience from facility that run out of intensive care beds and Hong Kong police arrested
53 former lawmakers and democracy advocates in the biggest Crackdown since the news
Security law was imposed they're accused of undermining Hong Kong's government by participating in an honest
Official election last year China today denounced President Trump's executive order
Banning any business with 8 Chinese apps they include the payment services Ally
Pay and WeChat pay the order said that they may be funneling personal and financial data
To China's communist government Beijing charge that the US is just trying to freeze out commercial competitors
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has made a rare admission that has Economic Development
Plans have failed you spoke at the opening of the ruling party Congress that takes place once every five
Years Kim said that his government faces unprecedented challenges
The implementation of the five-year strategy for National Economic Development ended last year but almost all set
You're still a long way short of their objectives the current Congress is going to make a comprehensive analysis and
Judgment of the lessons and mistakes we have made
Pandemic related closings on the border with China By Us sanctions over its nuclear
Program back in this country Louisville Kentucky Fired two more police officers and Brianna
Taylor's fatal shooting back in March the two were detective Myles Cosgrove who shot
Taylor and detective Joshua James who sought the no-knock warrant for the raid on Taylor's
Apartment a third officer was fired last Paul Kenosha Wisconsin State peaceful life
Last night after prosecutors decided against charging a white police officer who shot Jacob
Like last August Blake was left paralyzed Wisconsin's Governor had mobilize the National Guard bracing
For unrest following the decision but protests were small and non-violence The Local District Attorney
Bernie says that he opted not to file charges because he could not disprove the officers claim of self
Defense and on Wall Street investors bet on businesses that may benefit if Democrat
Control the house and the Senate and pass more economic stimulus Dow Jones Industrial Average
Gain 437 points to close at 30.000 829 that's a new record
Excel 78 points but the S&P 500 added 21
This is the PBS NewsHour from
WETA studios in Washington and in the west from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State
Diversity as song
President Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol today the newest senator-elect was watching from
His home in Georgia just hours after being declared the winner and yesterday is run-off elections
Raphael Warnock is also the pastor at the Ebenezer historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta
Martin Luther King Jr once preached and we welcome you now senator-elect Warnock and congratulation
On this wind has it sunk in and how are you how are you feeling about it at
At this moment here with you and
I'm deeply honored to have been
Chosen by the people of Georgia
To represent them in the United States Senate I was born and raised in this state child of sin
Savannah Georgia threw up in public housing
I want to quell children in my family I'm number 11 the first college graduate
I know personally the impact of good public policy
We've been moving all across the state talking about the importance of leadership in this moral moment
And our country
And that's the one who served at the last 15 years is pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church where
Dr. King preached and where
John Lewis worship that I can think of no more
Critical time right now for more leadership in this moment
Don't question and and Pastor Warnock I have to ask you about events on this day
The day you a day after your declare the winner in that runoff you see what happened at the US
Capital today what is that say to you about the institution where where you're about to serve and
Represent the state of Georgia
What we need in this moment is folks who were committed
Leaders who are committed to the people
This is what happens when
You have leaders who don't have a moral compass
You're willing to do anything to stay in power
And this is the extreme expression of that
But for too long and Washington
We've had politicians who are so focused on the next election
But they're not thinking about the Next Generation
And this is the kind of of of of Craven
Activate that we were witnessing right now for the sake of
Positioning oneself for a presidential election four years from now is she
Is Way Beyond The Pale
And the folks who have participated in this
Today I hold aided and abetted this kind of action
Will be remembered by history this this this is a terrible Moment In The Life
Backcountry is a dark moment but you know even in the midst of that Darkness their glimpses of light
And I'm very proud of the people of Georgia they elected
An African American
Pastor of dr. King's church
The first black senator from Georgia
And a young Jewish man
Son of an immigrant
A Menchie of John Lewis in this defining moment in our
Story reminding us of the Covenant that we have with one another than American people
I want to ask you about that but I first want to ask you if we assume that the people who are
Responsible for something that happened at the Capitol today they're going to be prosecution's do you think anything should happen
Happened to President Trump should there be some sort of either
Kitchen or what do you think should happen because I think many people agree President Trump encouraging people to
Come to Washington in support of his belief that he was cheated out of his election
This election led to what happened at the Capitol
Think about that and
It look I think it's a mistake for us as a country when we take stock of what happened over the last few years
If we extract
Donald Trump from that equation I think we miss an important moment for the
What country
We can't talk about him without regard to what gave birth to him
If we remove them from the equation
The toxic nature what's occurred over the last several years
Aided and abetted by people were supposed to be serving
Even my opponent
Who agreed to be a part of that challenge today
Of the Electoral College
That's what has to be addressed otherwise to country is still in a place that leaves all of us
Imperil we got big problems in our country
I will face with the global pandemic the likes of which we haven't seen in a century he cannot
Turn down
People am I staying all across the country are suffering
And we're not seeing the response from our government that we need
And that in and of itself is it on is his own chain
But how do you how do you go about addressing that and by the way Center
Muffler is saying that she's not ready to concede she's going to continue to contest this
How do you go about both dealing with the the the wrong
Songs that have been done and trying to bring people together at the same time and then you have a very divided state
State of Georgia right now just as you have a very divided United States
Outlaws and I think
We have to be reminded of that laws have to be enforced and
And there will be time to talk about that in the work through that
But as I've been moving across our state
As a candidate over the last several weeks
I have had the privilege of talking to Georgians
And I wanted to bring you know when are they going to get some real relief I mean since the Senate was meeting today
Should have been voting on the $2.000 stimulus check their folks who haven't seen releasing months
And it literally barely keeping their heads above water and then they turn on the television
We've seen such a violent and an awful display today
But it is a part of an ongoing kind of circus atmosphere
All that we seem far too long and Washington a big disconnect
Between what's happening in DC and where people actually live
The politicians that made the politics all about themselves
And today we seen just the worst expression of what happens
Auburn that goes unchecked
And and do you have a tangible sense right now of how you work across the
I realize you your election just took took place a few hours ago but are you able to think
At this point about how you work with the other party to get to get anything done in a
Very did a 50-50 Senate and you know
I think the words of dr. King are particularly relevant In This Moment he said either will learn to live together since
Brothers
All will perish as fools
And we cannot allow the
Covenant that we have with one another American people to be patterned by this
That was the worst demons at our nature this this kind of
Bigotry
Old tribal isms and racial resentment that rise up
And
Seattle demand the top dead center
The conversation and ways are not helpful
And so I think in this moment we need
Folks who understand
That at the end of the day
All we have is one another night I was saying that during this course of my campaign that you know we got these
Conversations around public policy that need to happen around Healthcare
Around voting rights around a livable wage around our national security all of these issues
But a true
There's a more fundamental question about the soul
The nation the character of the country
And I think that the fundamental question before America in this moment we're seeing it play out literally
On a television set
Is do we want to become
A more divided nation
Increasingly hostile everyone in their own
Silo's whether those are partisan silos or ethnic and racial and religious silos
Everyone armed and afraid of one another
Or do we want to build what dr. king called The Beloved Community
Many of us have visited countries where where there are a few people who have
All the things that they need and then some
And then there are the masses of folk who are suffering increasing wealth inequality a disconnect
That's not America this is not who we are at our best
And
In This Moment
We somehow have to summon
The best in the American Spirit
And to remind each other and ourselves
I bet at the end of the day we we are all we got Democrat and Republican
Red yellow brown black and white we are all we got
Ellen some ways you know I think this deadly pandemic has reminded us of that we should have known before the pan
Pandemic
That we need to have each other's back but all the sudden we're dealing with an Airborne deadly disease
My neighbor cost
They might be sick today
But because you're my neighbor in there and they called
I might be in Peril that doesn't make my neighbor my enemy that means that I got to have my neighbor's back
That is there uncovered perhaps I'm unprotected I should want them to have Healthcare
I should want their children to have access
To a quality education
I should want them to be able to work with dignity and earn a livable wage and to retire
I should want
Offered them equal protection
Under the law
And
Tonight as we watch these rioters storm our capital
Without
And then we watched it the response of law enforcement
Juxtapose that
To what happens
When black and brown people whether they're in Ferguson or Baltimore and other places have risen up
Violently
To give voice to their concerns it's a market study in contrasts at that's hard to ignore
And I think it calls us
In this moment to build the kind of multiracial Coalition of conscience. I think we saw this summer and light of the trash
Flashpoints of George Floyd and others we saw Americans of all colors
General multi-generational marched out into the streets
Amassed up against one virus covid-19
In order to wage war against the virus of bigotry and racism and xenophobia we need that kind
Spirit and we need it now more than ever
Reverend Raphael Warnock who made history today Bible
Becoming the first black American elected United States senator from the state of Georgia congrats
Chelation Senator on your hard-fought win thank you so much for joining us
Are you and return again to our Lisa Desjardin now
No at the Capitol where we are hearing that lawmakers will resume the Electoral College count process tonight
So Lisa tell us more if you look behind me Judah you might be able to just see
House whip Clyburn getting on the elevator I just saw speaker Pelosi has me go down this hallway
It's not clear that she's going to the Capitol yet but my understanding Judy is that they could come back into session
Soon as 8 or 9 will see that I have to clean the entire House and Senate chamber before they can do that
Alright Lisa weird we know you're going to keep on watching and we are
Continue our coverage Lisa Desjardins at the Capitol thank you
It is annexed it is an extraordinary day
Saw gripped by chaos by violence it was supposed to be a day that Martha peaceful transition
The power were lawmakers counted the legal and certified votes to Mark Joe Biden the president-elect
Kamala Harris vice president elect but President Trump spoke to his supporters for more than an hour he reiterate
His false claims that he won the election senators and congressmen than oppose the league
Account of Arizona's votes shortly after a mob descended on the capitol breaking Windows disk
Regarding an overriding Capitol Police the mob stormed into the building a violent scene
That led to at least one death inside the building that unfortunately we take
As a symbol of our democracy this night yamiche Alcindor is at the White House
Yamiche tell us at this at this point what you are hearing from the people around the
President on what he plans next it's unclear what the president plans next other than continuing his
False claims of victory in the 2020 election I've been talking to allies to sound increasingly concerned that the
Is not processing in a way that they think is presidential in a way that they think is is really
Reasonable what happened today I talked to one Ally who who said that the president is obsessed
With the idea that he lost obsessed with the idea that he is embarrassed and hurt I'm in says look
Human being but he is someone who is also the leader of the United States and needs to step up in the way that president
What Joe Biden said President Trump needs to step up something that's remarkable something that is troubling is that we're hearing the word
Insurrection both by Republicans and Democrats including president-elect Joe Biden who said this is not protest
Tested Insurrection and by former President George W bush who said he was appalled by the
Behavior of some political leaders saying that this was all just too much people around the president tell me that this is real
Really gone too far on this is something that the president do is not in somebody's pulling back he's saying that people should go home
He's condemning in some ways the violence that he seen but this is a Law & Order president someone was like
Lashed out at peaceful protesters someone who has made it a part of his presidency at home
Call Mark of his presidency to call out peaceful protest and here is the president justifying people breaking into the u.s.
Capital all of them have said the same thing which is that the election was raised that he was
I'm someone who was a victim of a conspiracy theory to steal the election from him and that is just that helping people that is
How we got here in the first place the President telling people something that is not true is how people got angry enough
I'm after hearing him on Twitter after hearing him in videos after hearing him at the rally today March to the Kappa
Put in and do Mayhem and incite violence in this way so the present is not backing down from that it's not
Clear when we go see the president again the White House has called what we call a lid that means that the president is going to be seen on cam
Hammer from news cameras but we could see the president on a on a video that he releases on his own but as of now the White House is not
Giving any other communication details on what might come tomorrow but you Misha's far as
We can tell the people who been supporting the president who been urging him to continue the legal voice
Voices he's been listening to his family members they all seem to be sticking with him and there's still the question of the vice
He was critical of today but everyone else seems to be standing by him that is right it seems
As of now especially when it comes to people like his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani these are people who are
Again condemning the violence say that people should not be violent but still sticking with the president's fundamental beliefs
But he was cheated out of this election which is not helping the situation we have seen former White House officials including
Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and the the former White House communications director Alyssa Farah saying
. you lost me tell people that this needs to stop but we have not seen any other
Other people that are inside the White House really speak out and did it the president is wrong there was some talk I should say of a
Aides who were even talking about whether or not they might resign or some reporting there but no one has done that instead of Lucena
Is the president who served surrounding themselves with people who are loyalists the people who are left in this White House are people who has
Set by President Trump for the weeks and months that he has continued to claim that he was the rightful winner of
This election and Elizabeth same people tonight that are watching the President watch TV watching the presidency this
All unfold from the safety of the White House and I can't underscore enough I've been at the White House all day things here and then peace
You can hear sirens you can hear protesters you can hear the sound of rumbling but inside this White House the president has
I've been largely sheltered from the chaos that came from his own rhetoric from his own false claims
Yeah give me shall send her following it all from the White House all day and now into the evening let's go
2R Lisa Desjardin at the capital Lisa bring us up-to-date on where things
It has been a tumultuous afternoon you've been there in the middle of it from the very big
Getting fill us in on where we are and where we go from here currently
Please have say that they have secured the Capitol Building House Office Building
Is where we see really the residence of Capitol Hill its members of Congress and their staff have been Sheltering in place
We are under lockdown that means no one can leave no one can enter this building
Seeing some movement toward the house chamber I've seen the house Clerk and some of Nancy Pelosi
See the speakers AIDS speaker Pelosi as we just reported pass me a short while ago
Leadership Source been house Democrats
Remember who is in leadership they told me that they will come back tonight we can again
I said when 890 don't want to give you a time but yeah that's
Sounds about right another staff duty that it could be an hour from now
For several hours so the hope is to return soon
Because the issue is do they have to clean the house chamber there are concerns
And of course there is that has chamber was disrupted I want to show some video right now I think that we have it
Evacuation of the house chamber oh we don't have it I'm sorry but please did quickly
Evacuate the chamber but with weapons drawn which was something that I saw as well
He's confronted protesters on the third floor of the capital but the determination now
Leaders in both Chambers is to continue with the certification and finalization of
2020 election tonight you know these are folks that have been standing on
In this particular Corridor there relaxed right now and you can hear some laughing you then but
Different type of police officer who had a very stuffed up jacket and clearly
Around with protesters and you should take some aspirin and he said yeah I think I think I really might
Tomorrow and that's why the last thing I want to say is it having observed the protesters
Crash through the front door of the u.s. Capital One thing that I feel like hasn't been talked about a lot
Bottom hurt some of our guests have talked about Capitol Police and their concerns about what time for the police did not do but I want to talk
How about I did see alone Capitol police officer just one on arms
Weapon if you had 100 his body into the gap of the front door
US Capitol trying to stop the protesters by himself another officer with him
And it was a courageous thing to do a horse why were there not more police with him
They're working on the other side trying to get in but I just want to point out that there were Capitol Police who were running
Into the crowd to try to protect the capital and Lisa I think I remember
For that moment because you were on in a standing on a balcony inside the capitol looking down on the door
Or where the protesters a mob was coming in Breaking Glass trying to push through the door and I remember you said
You only saw one officer standing there trying to hold everything back which of course raise the question where
Was everybody else
I think they have fallen back it was hard for me to see because I might be was obscure upstairs by
By the balcony that I was underneath
Location that location is not one that has many officers there it is
People don't go down those front steps except for very rare occasions of State like the lying-in-state
John Lewis for example that location that were talking about that those those front doors
Capital that are used on rare occasions and in this case there were very few
One officer kept trying but you could see that he was being defeated it it was a fascinating situation because
The crowd did not did not hurt him but they pushed him back there was
Not a fight between him in the crowd but the crowd was unrelenting and because of that he could have gotten hurt
But there was not a direct conflict the crowd was not trying to hurt the officer but neither were they following his orders neither
Were they following the lot they were determined to break into the u.s. capital despite this police officer and minions
Came here today waving flags that support police officers but yeah
You saw them completely roll past the order of Law and police officers themselves tonight here
Are the capital and Lisa you mentioned guns drawn as the officers allowed
Loud house members and Senate members to exit the chamber and we saw in one of your
All reporting where the moments we had the camera with you we saw one of the officers with gun
Drawing you don't have information yet though on where this woman was shot inside the capitol the one who has
Reportedly now died this evening we do not but I have seen video
Where you can hear what sounds like a gunshot the video was taken in the house chamber
And it sounds like it was close to or possibly even in the chamber it's it's hard to make out and of course there was a lot going
Who's to say that that wasn't a gunshot that was involved in this case we don't know anymore
Details about that woman's death who she was we also are waiting to find out about injuries to other people and
Injuries to Capitol Police that's right there are reports of not only some people people
Hospitalized but that includes P injuries include police at the capitol or at least
We're going to let you continue with your reporting continue to to watch to see when this debate resume
Zooms this process that was interrupted by The Assault on the Capitol building
The process of counting the electoral votes it was underway they were on the third state of Arizona where there'd been an
Direction and and they is Lisa's been reporting they're going to try to resume that this evening we just don't know
Exactly when at one point we were told at 8 p.m. Eastern but if you heard Lisa say that could slip
So let's turn now to some lawmakers who were inside the capitol during this chaos
We start with Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin
Thank you very much for talking with us about tell us where you are now are you safe
And how did you how were you taken out or escorted out of the house chamber
Well I won't get into the specifics of where I am but I am safe right now and various members are
Doing what is necessary to shelter-in-place and hopefully we get to a point where we can reconvene
And finish the process tonight and I was not on the house floor at the moment the chaos unraveled but certainly
Throughout the debate over the Arizona certification started hearing flashbangs which was presumably the cap
Police trying to get the protesters to back off the protesters got increasingly violent
Vice president Pence was rush off
The house floor at one point and protesters somehow breached
The security perimeter and then obviously and tragically this all culminated in someone getting shot and losing her
Reportedly wishes
A tragedy and it's Unbecoming and unbefitting of American democracy
And that we have to step back from the abyss year
How do you think all this happened do you hold responsible for this
Well ultimately I think we trafficked in the fiction that
That somehow January 6th was going to change the outcome
Of the Congressional and presidential election and even the objectors would have been behind closed doors that that's not
What was going to happen there was no way Congress was going to overrule and overturn the result of the election on January
Text a consequence they gave a lot of people. About what was going to happen today and things ask
Wait it out of control so I'm not trying to point the finger of blame at any one person or any of my colleagues extremely
Agreed with them on the constitutionality and the Practical approach here I just want us all to get back together
Denied drop the objections drop the attempt by Congress to overrule the states in the American people
And support a peaceful transition of power that is ultimately what needs to happen
Do you believe you have reason to believe that the objections will be dropped
I'm hearing you do informal reports that the senatorial objectors are considering dropping their objection
And I can't really tell you how accurate that is I think it would be astounding if after what we witnessed
Today
Objectors went back on the house floor
And started objecting again I just don't see how you can do that after the violence and Chaos that we saw on the
Capitol today
And of course it takes there have to be a member of both houses it has to be a house
House member and it has to be signed by a senator so if is you're saying the Senators don't agree to go along
Enough Senators don't agree to go along then there wouldn't be any more any more debate butcher
You're saying you've heard the talk but you don't have reason to think that that decisions been finally made yet is that
Right track and I don't know when we're going to reconvene I think security is Paramount priority
Right now and that's understandable but I really do think it is important
And if it happens at midnight at 2 a.m. I just think it's important for us
To come together the Congress and finish this process I think I would send a strong statement that even
One of our Darkest Hours American democracy will not be tutor and so I hope Mike Ali Sher
That conviction and then you know we can start playing the blame game over the next two weeks but right now the Constitution
The peaceful transition of powers what's Paramount in my mind
Congressman Gallagher this conversation already about Eman some Democrats are going so far as to say President Trump
Should be impeached in the short. We have heard calls up from the National Association of men
Manufacturers and others that vice-president Pence talked to the cabinet about possibly invoking a
25th amendment removing President Trump from Office do you think it is safe for the country
I pray that he remain in office for the next two weeks
Well I think the safest route before we jump to impeachment or or before people use this
As a way to the punish their political enemies is
Republicans and Democrats to come together certify the results electoral college and then yes
Of course the President should concede and support the peaceful transition of power that to me seems like the Sims
Approach going forward one that does not tear the country apart
More I mean we've seen dramatic divisions over the course of the last four years you know I just I just would
Prefer people step back from the abyss
Let's do our duty tonight
And then tomorrow we all maybe we can have a debate about what needs to happen after that
But sounds like you're leaving the door open to that I haven't even doing
Sitting sitting in a room with desks barricading doors I'm not thinking about that right
Right now I'm thinking about how we can prevent further people from getting shot and killed and how we can certify the
Results in the Electoral College
And end the shenanigans
Am I hearing you correctly you're in a room where there are desks that are holding the doors
Closed yes that's correct
And we've come to that at at the United States capitol
Unfortunately that's it
Made a comment earlier today where I never thought I would see this in the United States Capitol the closest thing I can recall is
The time I spent in uniform in Iraq and some of the violent chaos we saw there and I think it's easy for us as Americans because
You know we have this this democracy that The Shining City upon the hill
It takes some of these little things for granted some of the unwritten rules and norms and we're just leaving
Take for granted the idea of a peaceful transfer of power which is at once commonplace and remarkable is Reagan said in the
The fact is
Brother overheated rhetoric of life-or-death Elections I spent a lot of time in countries where elections are quite literally life-or-death
And we do not want to go down that road I can assure you and today we took a step down that road so let's take a step back
And your message tonight to President Trump is what
Encourage your supporters
2
Remove themselves peacefully from the capital
Stop telling people that somehow the vice president
Is going to overturn the results of the election
And support the peaceful transfer of power
Representative Mike Gallagher Republican of the state of Wisconsin we Sankey
I'm very much for joining us and please stay safe
And now we turn to another member of Congress as she is
Credit congresswoman Mikie Sherrill of the state of New Jersey thank you very much
So good to have you back on the NewsHour but not under these circumstances which are Stone
Running and disturbing tell us if you are safe right now it appears that you're in your office
I'm going to ask you the same question I asked a congressman Gallagher do you feel safe how did you get out of the house chamber
Where You Are
So thanks Judy I do feel safe right now I've been assured that the building on
I'm in my office is has been secured I was in the chamber
When we started to hear reports of the unrest on the hill first
Sweet her that Cannon several my colleagues had to evacuate from their offices in the Cannon House Office Building
And then we heard reports that the vice president had been evacuated from the Senate chambers
Shortly thereafter as that was in the chamber of the speaker was evacuated from the chamber that we continue
What are hearings hoping that we could continue to do our constitutional Duty however we started to here
Are the crowds will coming at towards the chamber that they've been in Statuary Hall so we had to adjourn
And then we had to all get down we were being told by the capitalist to get down in the event that there was an active
Shooter there were concerns about that to pull out or gas masks in case there was tear gas
They had to use to disperse protesters and then we start to hear banging on the doors on the door
I've been shut and locked they barricaded those doors we had Capitol Police with their
With our weapons out and then we move towards an exit we had the bench Shelf
Children place again and get down
I was with some members that were calling their families and so then I called my husband to assure him that I was okay
And we exited they finally found a safe way for us to egress the chamber as I exited the Chamber of the
There were people face down on the ground with their hands over their heads being watched over by the police
Did you hear gunshots at anytime
You know I did not I was talking to people who said that they had her that I could not Cheryl
A lot of what was going on outside the chamber I just start to hear that noise of a crowd outside the chamber
You ran for congress a few years ago did you ever think that you would be there
Dealing with something like this and when you when you signed on for this job
You know I can't say that I did we have had a peaceful transition of this government
Crafted except for the Civil War since 1789 this President and his constant attacks have
Worried me that's part of the reason I ran for congress I have pal hearing swear
I asked the Secretary of Defense in the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff this past spring if they were prepared
To do their duty to ensure a peaceful transition of power I continue to press for that I formed a a group
Joined a group of constitutional Scholars to talk about this very day and how we're going to get through this day in Asher
That we were able to certify this election but to see
Violent protesters that were called to the capital by the president of the United States to interrupt
Our constitutional Duty and the president's constant undermining of our democracy with this baseless claims that this is
Selection was unfair that he's somehow had a win is really
Something that I don't think even I could have expected despite all of my concerns
Yeah and Anna's we didn't mention this but of course you came out of active duty in the United
States Navy you had a distinguished career in the military yourself before you decided
To go into politics I do want to come back to President Trump what do you think should should happen
Now there are some of your Democratic colleagues are calling for impeachment we've had other groups ass
Asking the vice president to look into the 25th Amendment which would involve forcibly removed or removing the president
From Office what do you think should be done now
I think the thing that we have to concentrate on first and foremost is transferring the power to press
Biden and that is the number one objective at this point we obviously have a person in office to
Is really unfit to serve as the president United States that the sooner we can get him out there more
Party so we can get him out the better so I think we have to have our eyes on January 20th getting to the United
Duration getting that turnover turnover of power done and I think
You know at this point it's it's really in so many ways and comment upon Republicans to start
To work towards that transition I think we have worked incredibly hard we
But we still have vice-president Pence as the president of the Senate not
Kamala Harris so we still don't have control of the Senate and we need that body we are
You're going to ensuring the house the House of Representatives will ensure that we certify the president we will
Ensure that none of these kind of spurious claims that we should not
Certify the Electoral ballots from any state that we're seeing from Republicans in both Chambers where
Ensure that that we don't allow that that we allow the voice of the people in the people's house to be
Heard that we certify those boats so we'll get through January 6th and then possibly don't take a little bit longer but I
I think many of us are willing to work through the night to see that we do our constitutional Duty where we're helping
Shortly back into the chamber so we are doing that but it's real
Alien come in at this point if we are going to ensure that transition for Republicans to
To get engaged in this as well
And do you think that's going to happen I'm asking and part because we heard Congressman Mike Gallagher Houma
I just spoke with saying he's heard perhaps that there won't be objections
Carried out that perhaps some of the Senators who were going to take part in that are no longer going to do that we do
Don't know that that's the case have you heard anything like that
I have not heard that but I think that would be a good sign that the members
Understand the gravity of their actions and that their actions have consequences that they can't
Simply doubt and undermine our democracy and Democratic Institution
Jen's for political gain and then so I'm hoping very much that they stop that we had affair
Election
In the areas where was closely recounted those ballots and you know Chief the results
And then the president had over 60 court cases that were heard the evidence that was presented
Presented by the president was found not to be true
And the judges found that we ran a fair election across this country so these claims by members of
Congress that somehow we should not certify
The Electoral ballot of States states who have certified their own ballots and
Should not hear from the people and allow the people to decide the next president of the United States
I would say undermining their constitutional oath and they need to stop that
Well we will certainly see what happens tonight but I hear you saying that you and your colleague
Prepared to stay through the night if necessary to get this process moving forward
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill of the state of New Jersey Democrats thank you so much for joining us in weho
Hope you will stay safe
Thank you so much for having me thanks
And now we turn to another member of Congress he is Congressman mark desaulnier
Is a Democrat from the state of California Congressman tell me I'm going to ask you this
The same two of your colleagues do you feel you're in a safe place now
How did you get safely out of the house floor with all the chaos going on
Well. thanks for having me on the light
Early this morning
Because I've had some health conditions in the speaker's been great about that
I was able to watch outside of the West side and sees a crab come down from the mall gather start
Continue
Police came through and said make sure the doors locked
And going through it was a surreal experience
It had to be frightening for you
You don't like I can't say it was more that we have come to this
Barricaded
Incited by the current president knighted states and
Not encourage but incited to do what they did today to me
Hopefully the last
I agree with you
Finish our responsibility
These very sad moments
We're waiting to see when that debate when the process of of counting the votes
The electoral votes does get underway again tonight Congressman but in the meantime how do you
How do you process what happened today do you hold responsible for this and if it's the president
What can be done about that
And I'm not a squirter pissed but I respect the office all respect and Iris
Factor Joe Biden be so mostly I respect the US Constitution
Imperfections in the rule of law
Some concerns you today to me is beyond
I put the total responsibility
The individuals who broke the law I think after
Interacted with whatever evidence they come up with should be adjudicated
We need to do some due diligence
Today is well first off
But then
American public and I want to ask you the same question I think I asked Harrison
Gallagher is the country safe with President Trump I mean are the American people safe
Has President Trump as president
Pretty is eternal vigilance and that's what we have to do now is in my lifetime
This is the scariest I'm in my lifetime for American democracy
Am I do the president is unhinged and there is no constitutional way to
Remove him and I would hope he would resign
Speak Tamil
Right now right now
But I don't I don't imagine that there's someone who could convey that message nor would I receive it so
Our job as Americans all of us with your member Congress or not
And make sure that we've been given the responsibility
Is to make sure that democracy continues in this country
Your kids or grandkids in future Generations
How do you give hope to Americans who are out there watching all this watching this day unfold
And wonder if Congress can function if our political system can function when you
You have such a deep divide certainly not all Republicans were supporting what the president is saying what
But a number of them have been with him in this claim that he was cheated out of real
Re-election how do you begin to move forward as a legislative body as a
Political leaders when you have this kind of toxic
Relationship between the left and the right it's much bigger than than
Not now but but between these two sides in our country
Degree Wisconsin Democrat San Francisco
But we have to work together
Is superior to anyone
14 days weather Republicans
Amazing responsibility we have to step up enough
Behind you
Providential president
We need to do that today but they were plenty of them
We'll get through this if we adhere to our better angels and that's one of these moments
But we certainly hope that we're not approaching anything like what happened
In the Civil War although there are comparisons that are being drawn certainly to the. That
Lead up to the Civil War Congressman mark desaulnier from the state of
California thank you very much please stay safe and and we just appreciate so much are joining us
My pleasure thanks for asking and now we step back
Can before we do I just want to show you some live pictures of the mall this is a National Mall in
Washington DC where the crowd is still here in the capital city you're seeing
Nice pictures and I'm seeing them for the first time as are you it looks to me like a pretty heavy police
Presents are National Guard presence there where these protesters are
I'm having a hard time to camera is a little bit is unsteady and I can't really tell there we go
Those are the protesters on the side and then on the other side where the where the police so we are going to see
Where this goes tonight if you can see the Capitol in the background so you can see how far away
From the capital they are right now but they're still here and it's night it's just about a little after 7
10:30 in the East and they are still here and they are still making their voices heard the police
Police have been called out and we know now the National Guard we're hearing an alarm
Right now I don't know whether this is on my earpiece alone or whether this is something happening on the streets of
Washington but but that's that's the same right now in the streets of Washington there's
Still unrest the situation has not completely ended even though we are told that the you
US Capitol has been secured and now we do want to reflect again on this remarkable moment with Mary
McChord she was acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice and she now teaches
At Georgetown Law School Mary McCord thank you so much again for talking with us
Looking at who these protesters are people are calling it a mob of they're calling it
Insurrection and and all sorts of terms are being thrown around to describe what happened today and who
They are but who do you see their me what what elements of
American society do you see coming together to make this group that assaulted the capital
Well I think it's it's a it's a rather big tent right we have a far-right extremist
Including people who have been agitating for violence agitating for you Noah
Even something as dramatic as Civil War online we also have conspiracy theory
Nearest we certainly had Alex Jones last night and Rodger Stone who are conspiracy theory
Who spoke to the crowd and we have people who adhere to those views that are in part of this crowd
But we also have much more I think mainstream people who are Trump supporters who may legitimately
Believe that there was some fraud in the election May legitimately question the Integrity of the
The election entire spectrum of people from you know maybe cancer
Herbatint but not extreme all the way to extremist calling for violence and and promoting conspiracy theories
We have them all under the same tent and that's a dangerous situation because it allows the more extreme elements
Really just would have radicalized the less extreme elements and then you put them together in a crowd or mob and
People will do things that they would not otherwise do on their own there's an anonymity into in a crowd
There's that feeling of you're just part of a movement people get swept up in it and I think that probably what we saw at the Kappa
Were some leaders who led the charge and then a lot of followers that came
I'm behind them and you know this is the danger of of extremists ability
To a use a message that the president himself has been promoting as a galvanizing for
Forced toward this type of extremist activity this really seditious activity
I I hear and using the word seditious and I hear you saying these people coming together with different motives
Depending on their backgrounds as you say some of them may just be ordinary Americans who like President Trump
Anna falling into a believing the conspiracy theory that he's been repeating
Non-stop since the election could this have come together and happen without
President Trump calling on them to come to Washington today
I don't have a crystal ball of course and it's certainly possible that there would have been people that would have felt like
The election was unfair where that they would have just be unhappy with the results and would want to protest but if you didn't
Not have President Trump from day one really even before the election he was already priming the pump for alligator
Listen to fraudster from day one on the election promoting false claim
Names of fraud false claims of ballot-box stuffing of dead people voting of Abella
I was being counted two and three times if you listen to the tape of his conversation with Secretary of State raffensberger of Georgia on
On Saturday he just Unleashed a whole Litany of claims that have been soundly debunked
Bettencourt's and elsewhere through evidence and so you know if it weren't for that a message
Repeated drumbeat of messaging including today I don't think you would see people taking
Into the streets in this way of assaulting the the capital they might have protest
Exercise their first amendment rights as they are entitled to do and our first amendment is one of our most cherished constitutional
Rights that makes us different from other countries but what we saw today was not protected First Amendment activity
Effectivity violence that is not protected and that's the kind of stuff that the president was egging on
With his with his conspiracy theories with his false claims against with his only very
Thinly veiled calls for this type of a rebellion in a we've had anime
America's history we've had a succession of leaders who called them demagogue
Dogs use other terms you know people who have had a big following of people weather with
Racist motives or anti-communist motives
But now we have a president of the United States who
Is constantly feeding this belief and I'm trying to I guess we're all try
Trying to understand how much more power does that give a movement or a group to have
The president of the United States the most powerful person in the world
Essentially feeding it information feeding theories feeding ideas
On a regular basis you have that powerful position of leadership
And people forbetterorworse are drawn to President Trump and think about historical even outside of America think
Think about other leaders like Hitler who actually got people to do things that I think we look back now and horror and we are shocked
Exodus many people went along with what helped Hitler espouse think about not calling the president terrorist
Think about terrorist leaders and what they are able to get their followers to do that we think that people would not order
Ordinarily do so there's that that leadership that has an incredible impact on people who follow but I
Beyond that we also have to be clear social media plays such a huge role in this because you know
In decades past even if you had a powerful leader with a powerful message the ability to get it
Out as quickly and as for ranging make you were talking about around the
World within seconds of a tweet this allows for just a constant
Constant barrage of messaging discount the impact
Unlike any other in history in terms of being able to get this
Message out quickly and he's used it you no more so than any leader I'm aware of and certainly
Only more so than those in the past before the technology even existed I think that means that debt that combination
Nation of the leadership position he's in that has this veneer of credibility because he's the president
The United States and his use of social media so prolifically contributes to the fair
Sac City is such a large following in and people who were willing to go out and do what we saw happen today
I am coming back I keep thinking back to what you said initially Mary McCord when you described
The different groups coming together you use you talk about extremist you talk about other groups
Conspiracy theorists and you you then said ordinary Americans who vote
Believe who like President Trump agree with him and and have accepted his theory or
His his conspiracy theory that the election was stolen from him I'm
I'm thinking about what it takes to get at what point do people who believe
Give something like that graduate or move from being simply passive except
Something like that and believing it and say hey that sounds right to actually to acting on it to getting on app
A plane or a bus or a train coming to Washington and acting out on their suspicions
Their anger what is it that that moves people from One Category 2
The next yeah well I'm not a sociologist but I can tell you what I've observed in the last four years because
It's something that I've worked on both when I was in government and now outside of government and we
Back to the unite the right rally in Charlottesville Virginia in 2017 that was a real example of extremist
Stepping out of that virtual space of the internet and into the physical space and making that physical show
Showings and
You know mediately President Trump refused to denounce the far-right refused to
Bounce the white supremacist and instead instead said famously there were very fine people on both sides
Well that was that was like the stamp of approval for them and we've seen it escalating ever since then this
I can step off the internet right I can now say things and do things in public that I would know
Not have done in the past and so I think part of it is this feeling of approval from
The president of the United States that gave them the ability to say what we're doing what we believe in
Is supported by the president and you know infection named a group a criminal street gang
Told that criminal street gang to standby during the first debate and I won't name that criminal Street gang because I'm not going to give them.
Attention that they want and that they crave but that was immediately Merchants dies by that group and monetize by
That group and that group has expanded since then and has been one of the major groups driving violence in DC now.
Let you know in November it at the million Mega March and December at another March and and today and
And even last night in the District of Columbia so you know this
I can't say what changes in a person's head but I can tell you also and I can't I don't want to
/ / play that the analogy to what I've seen in
The terrorism context but it is an area where you see that people over a. Of time Zeal you know
Comfortable moving from
Ideologies that started out not too extreme get more extreme and then
Finally sometimes start talking about violence and then sometimes act upon that not everybody
But some do and in this case that we're seeing now we're seeing a lot of people that have been
Vulnerable to the false messages from the president and the end the real calls to take to
To the streets and you know what I said earlier at to Judy that you know you can't have the present
Has he did tonight saying the election was stolen from us we won in a landslide and it was stolen but go home
Peaceful
Mary McCord former justice department official and now at Joe
Georgetown law school thank you very much for walking us through so much of as we try to understand what
What happened on this terrible day thank you very much thank you Judy and absolutely
While witnessing all this unfold with me throughout this day earlier to Veterans of Capitol Hill they
They were there now joining me watch today's events involved to longtime Congressional Watchers Danny Weiss former
Early service speaker Nancy Pelosi Chief of Staff I'd anywise is now a senior fellow at the think-tank the century found
Foundation and John hard he worked in both the house and the senate for the late Republican congressman
And Senator Tom Coburn John Hart recently launched a group called the conservative coalition
For climate Solutions and we welcome both of you back to the news hours coverage you were with me for
Hours this afternoon and you're still with me tonight as we still try to understand that I'm sore
What happened at the Capitol today and as we wait to see if the House and Senate reconvene to continue
The counting the formal counting of the electoral vote and John Hart I'm going to
Come to you first hear you both I had a chance to ask both of you what you made of what
What was happening as it was unfolding but now that you had a little bit of time to reflect as things have calmed down a little
We're told that the capital is now been secured how does it
How is it sitting with you what are you thinking
Mary said I think I think there's an issue that we have to deal with head on what I would call corporate and individual
Responsibility is what I mean by corporate responsibility is in this country we have allowed a culture of untrue
Christopher Bell on both sides the culture of post-modernism has been with us for 30-40 years
Patrick Moynihan used to say Everyone's entitled to their own opinions about their own facts
Swirl today people feel like they're entitled to their own facts and that's a problem on both sides we have these competing reality
On social media where two tribes competing
And the way to solve that is to is to encourage the other side to encounter and deal with the humanity
Of the other side and my former boss Tom Coburn did that beautifully with Barack Obama
Embraced him publicly on the floor of the house after his first State of the Union Address very conservative member
Unapologetically was warm towards a very liberal Democrat that that to me is the active
Rebellion against the culture we have right now where you treat the other side with respect and dignity so that's the corporate
Responsibility now the individual responsibility I think Republicans as I thought the past couple hours is we have to do some
Something dramatic and decisive in the face of what's happened today and I don't know what that will look like I think
Take me to minimum there will be a scaling back of these infections I think it's beyond dispute that the men
Message going into today of let's have a thoughtful conversation about Electoral College issue
Challenges that has been completely pushed to the side but very tragic events
We should have zero tolerance toward political violence in the United States as a conservative I think repel
Applicants should be leading the charge against that where the party of Lincoln
And we need to step up and condemn it in the most forceful way possible
So one thing we could do is after after the election is certified Republican should in masstel.
Donald Trump it is time to graciously concede you know we expect our little Leaguers to learn from failure we should at least
Expect the same from our president
And if President Trump fails to do that then they should look at other measures whether it's a censure whether some kind of punishment
I think it's spits into speculative to to wonder if there would be any other further action taken
But this is disgraceful this should not be allowed to stand I think as it is a matter of
Republic patriotism to the country we can assume we can't tolerate it but also
As Republicans if we want our brand have any long-term viability we can't be seen as advocating in
Defending this kind of violence we have to condemn it in the strongest most unequivocal way possible
I hear what you're saying at the same time and with all due respect John Hart it's Republicans who stood by the Pres
President ever since the election in saying that there was something rotten about what happened here
Here that he was that the election was stolen from him he's making statements right up through today he should make
I can go statements on a daily basis almost hourly basis and most Republicans
Up until now have stood with him you're right you you and I discussed this earlier this afternoon and
And you're right that only a few Republicans in the Senate were objecting but over a hundred
Republicans in the house still with him and objecting to the electoral vote count most Republicans
Refuse to acknowledge Joe Biden is president-elect up until just
Couple weeks ago so I'm just trying to understand
Where that line gets Tron
Again there there it is not as I said earlier it is not irrational to say
There is fraud in the election it is also a rational to say the election was totally fraudulent
And Donald Trump won in a landslide both of those arguments are absurd so I think the truth and reality is that we haven't
Imperfect slot electoral system I think it's beyond question that Joe Biden was
Was elected president and he got more votes you know the principle of Occam's razor says that that the simplest
Not requires the fewest assumptions is usually correct so I believe in the assumption that
Joe Biden got more votes than Donald Trump
And the other alternative Seth Green conspiracy
And you know they were voting machines hacked by the ghost of Hugo Chavez or whatever
Siri that's on Trump's lawyers put out and that's just absurd and ridiculous so I think I think we have
Asset reject both of those extremes but acknowledged that there we live in an imperfect world with imperfect electoral
It's not it's not unpatriotic to want to have free and open elections and fair
Elections but the president obviously crossed the line and we've seen today the
Quinces of of those words and I think we have to say look at this
It's over once once Republicans take the step of objecting to one set of electors
They should go to the president say look we fought the fight
It is over there is no way for you to win you need to concede graciously immediately for the sake of the country for the sick
Sycamore party for the sake of your legacy and if you don't we'll consider rather stats
Its Danny Weiss you know we're hearing
We're hearing John Hart explain what what Republicans should do do you see Republicans doing that
Hard to see them doing that I mean you're in you're in the berry and the Trump
Stration this is the same president who asked a foreign country to intervene in our election
It's not a conspiracy theory by the left that's just a fact
And there was no objection to that
By the Republican Party
Now you're in the challenges of of Donald Trump
As president and we don't know what's going to happen to in the future
But I agree with one thing that the John said which is
You know emotion like a centromotion would certainly be appropriate at a minimum in both the house and the Senate
It would be wonderful that speaker Pelosi and leader McConnell
I could get together tonight even
And agree on something that they would both be willing to bring to the floor of the house it wouldn't be enough
Or the progressive wing of the democratic party and
It would be too much for the conservative wing of the rubber Republican party Resort the trunk wing
It would be important to take some stuff you know
Disagree with
Something that John has been saying throughout the evening and and that others have tried to say which is their sort of an attempt to
Continue the
Alignment both sides do this
And I really think that that is one of the problems we have in American politics is there are times when
One group of people have gone too far
And both sides are not doing
Who has as I said earlier you had
You know I don't know what the number was was it a million people who came to the women's March
In Washington
I didn't attack the capital
They hated the fact that Donald Trump was elected president
They didn't commit violence
They didn't attack the capital they didn't attack the White House they spoke out
And they committed themselves to winning the next election and they didn't even say that the election was stolen
The Democrats spent the last four years
Saying that the election was stolen
Have said is that the president colluded with Russia
What were the election
It was proven that he did
It was proven just recently asked a foreign country to intervene in this election
And then he was acquitted by the Senate
I do think we need to come together but I don't believe that it's helpful to always say that both sides
Do it
When
Vice President Joe Biden
Had to oversee the election count certification
I believe it was something the effect of
To his own members Denise a
It's over guys
Stop updating the election's over
Donald Trump
That's right and Ann and Danny Weiss in terms of tonight and whether these objects
Directions go forward do you think I'm an asking you to speculate right now but do you have either any
Formation or do you have expectation that we will continue we will continue to see these
Arguments play out as there are objections to we're finishing up on Arizona we
We haven't heard the conclusion of that but then Georgia and Pennsylvania
I don't know the answer I've been texting with members of Congress and staff
During this break and Democrats
The Democratic members that I've spoken with obviously hope that the Republican members
Will withdraw their objections
They don't know what's going to happen now that that's even from some members that are very close with Republica
When you look back at the
At the proceedings that I'll just say really quickly
This is been accomplished the accounting the certification of the balance and be done in about 25 minutes
We were expecting it to take about maybe 18 hours
Today if they did all Six States now it's obviously taking much longer than that with his horrific Interruption but this whole process
Process could have taken 25 minutes and then you can get back to dealing with the covid
A crisis
Dealing with vaccines and preparing frankly for a new Congress and a new Administration
Danny Weiss Jon Hart joining us all afternoon and into the evening to help us understand and to
The sect what's been going on in this electoral count process thank you both
And as I thank you I want to tell our audience it is now 8 p.m. on the East Coast We are continuing
Special coverage on PBS of this remarkable and disturbing day we thought we would
Witness a peaceful transition of power including some legislative debate as lawmakers counted the illegal
Certified votes by all 50 states to confirm in the District of Columbia to confirm Joe Biden to be the
The next president instead President Trump spoke to protesters for more than an hour he repeated false
Claims that he won the election shortly thereafter Republican lawmakers contested the vote
In the state of Arizona moments later on Mob supported and encouraged by present
Stormed the capitol they over ran Capitol Police violence in
Tude shots were fired and at this moment we can report that at least one woman
Was killed we don't know the details of that tragedy are Lisa Desjardins
Has been there at the Capitol all day you may she I'll send her is at the White House and I come to the two of you
As we still are absorbing the shock and dismay and alarm
I'm at all we witnessed today Lisa you went to the Capitol this morning thinking you were going to come
As I'm just mentioned an accounting of electoral votes
Going to be some objections but
You thought it was all going to reach a conclusion at some point late tonight but that's not exactly what happened
It isn't what happened I am glad to say that it does look like I will get the chance to cover that electoral
Process and we have just been monitoring senators and house members who are planning to abject
One of them Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin he is the Senate Homeland Security chairman currently
He is an objector he just told reporters here at the Capitol who passed all along notes to me that
Obviously his court is obviously given what has happened
Attitudes are changing clear least at least some objectors are thinking of removing their objections and I think the place
To watch is the US Senate that's one reason that we were going to see three states versus six senators
We're less embracing assertive a Full Throttle object to everything approached now we will have to watch to see us
Senators object to any states at all it is seems like it is clearly under consideration but one other pay
Piece of big news especially for myself personally may have noticed I am back in the US capital I was for
Fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time when the staff of the House Radio TV gallery
What's the score of the back with some other journalists I was oblivious corded back with them that is a very positive sign
The Capitol Police feels the building is secure enough for some of us to be here and work here however my understanding for what
What I saw it is on an escort only basis I don't think I'm able to leave this area I don't feel like I need
Me too at this point but it is a very positive sign I personally am very relieved it's good to be back
Where I can plug in my phone
We are very glad about that too and I should say Lisa extraordinary reporting you did today
All of walking with your camera all over the US Capitol to
The underground tunnel that leads from the capital to various
Quite quite an extraordinary performance has been noticed by a lot of people and we can't thank you
You enough before I go to UNI so I just want to clarify so you're saying it sounds like there may not
Be any Senate objections or we're not sure yet
Senators who were planning to abject seem to be reconsidering their plan we don't know how far that goes does that mean
Mean they will objective fewer states to know states with fewer Senators themselves join the objection it only
Takes one Senator so we're talking about 12 Senators who all would have to remove their objections
And but we should watch that it it doesn't seem impossible to me but I honestly don't know how that will
One of them Ron Johnson who is one of the most Ardent supporters of the present Unapologetic he has been about
The abduction movement is now saying that there's a different attitude because of what has happened
Well that may very well be a telling comment so we will hang on that remember that
Until we learn more and we'll come back to you as the hour goes on Lisa Desjardin thank you and now the Umesh
Alcindor at the White House the president had a
An active hour or more of speaking to his supporters and
Everything fell apart after that they March to the capital they assaulted the capital people were hurt
A woman was killed where do things stand tonight
Judy remarkably and in somebody's troubling and in a troubling way
President Trump remains defiant remains wedded to the idea that he
Is the rightful winner of the 2020 election I was just talking to someone who is familiar with some of the conversations
The president has been having as he's been watching all this unfold from the White House on TV and that person to the president
Is genuinely embarrass genuinely worried about trying it all to to say that he is
The winner of this election and as a result there some people who feel like the present has simply just lost his way
They're people telling me that the president has often walked up to the line but then walked back right after I walked
Do not want to denounce white supremacist and then at some point being able to denounce them now the president is I'm told
Confused because he doesn't want to denounce these people to forcefully because they are in fact these violent protesters
As they breached security and artists in some cases arrested they are doing what the president told them to do his students
In front of hundreds of people today and said fight and marched federal state and local law enforcement
The violence was quelled
The capital is secured
In the people's work continues
We condemn the violence that took place here
In the strongest possible terms
We grieve the loss of life
In these hallowed Halls
As well as the injuries suffered by those
Who defended our Capitol today
And we will always be grateful
The men and women who stayed at their posts
To defend this is stork place
To those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol today
You did not win
Violence never wins
Freedom wins
And this is still the people's house
Naz we reconvene in this chamber
The world will again Witness
The resilience and strength of our democracy
For even in the wake of unprecedented violence and vandalism at this capital
The elected representatives
Of the people of the United States
Have assembled again
On the very same day
To support and defend the Constitution of the United States
So may God bless the Lost
The injured
And the heroes forged on this day
May God bless all
Who serve here
And those who protect this place
And may God bless the United States of America
Let's get back to work
As far as the majority leader
Unanimous consent the majority leader in the Democratic leader be allowed to speak and that's the time not count against
2 hours of debate in relation to the objection raised on the State of Arizona
Is there objection without objection sordid
Outer side of the American people
United States Senate will not be intimidated we will not
Be kept out of the chamber by thugs mobs
Or threats
We will not bail the lawlessness
Or intimidation
We are back at our post we were discharged our duty under the Constitution
And for our nation
And we're going to do it tonight this afternoon Congress began the process
Honoring the will of the American people and Counting the Electoral College votes
We fulfilled our solemn duty every 4 years or more than two centuries
Weather Nations been at War
Oar peace
Under all manner of threats even during an ongoing ongoing armed rebellion and the Civil War
War the Clockwork of our democracy has carried on
United States and United States Congress at face-down much greater threats then the
Unhinged crowd we saw today we've never been tutored but
4 and will be not deterred today
They tried to disrupt our democracy they failed
PayPal
They failed to attempt to obstruct the Congress just failed Insurrection only underscores how crucial
The task before us is for our Republic
Our nation was founded precisely so that the free choice of the American people is
What shapes are self-government and determines the destiny of our nation
Not fair not force but the piece
Full expression of the popular will
Now we assemble this afternoon to count our citizens votes and to formalize their choice
Of the next president
Now we're going to finish exactly what we started
Will complete the process the right way
By the book
We'll follow our presidents our laws
Had our constitution
To the letter
And we will certify the winner
Of the 2020 presidential election criminal Behavior
Will never dominate the United States Congress
This institution is resilient
Are democratic-republican straw
The American people deserve nothing less
Democratic leader
Mister president Mister president is very very difficult
Occult put into words what has transpired today I have never lived through
Or even imagine the experience like the one we have just witnessed in this
Capital President Franklin Roosevelt set aside December 7th 1941
As a day 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 this Temple to democracy was dead
Desecrated its Windows smashed our offices vandalized the Worldstar
Americans elected officials hurriedly ushered out
Because they were In Harm's Way
The House and Senate floors were places of shelter until the evacuation is was ordered
Leaving Riders to stalk these hallowed Halls lawmakers in our staff
Average citizens who love their country serve it everyday feared for their lives
I understand that one woman was shot and tragically lost her life we mourned her and
Feel for her friends and family these images were projected to the
World Farnham deceased cables Home their Capital their home capitals to report
Harrowing scenes at the very heart of our democracy this will be a stain on our country
Not so easily washed away
The final terrible in indelible Legacy of the 45th
Resident of the United States undoubtedly are worst I want to be very clear
Those who perform these reprehensible acts cannot be called protesters
No
These were Riders an insurrectionist goons and thugs
Domestic terrorist
They do not represent America
They were few thousand violent extremist to try to take over the Capitol building and attack our democracy
They must and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law hopefully
We buy this Administration if not
Certainly by the next
They should be they should be provided no leniency I want to thank the many of the
The Capitol Hill Police and Secret Service and local police who kept us safe today and work to clear the capital
And returned it to its rightful owners and its rightful purpose I want to thank the leaders
Democrat and Republican House and Senate
It was speaker Pelosi leader McConnell leader McCarthy and myself
Who came together and decided that these thugs would not succeed that we would finish the work of Arkansas
Did you that our constitution requires us to complete in the very legislative chambers of
The House and Senate
That would desecrated but we know always belonged to the people and do again
Tonight but make no mistake make no mistake my friends
Today's events did not happen spontaneously the president to promote the conspiracy
Theories that motivated these thugs
The presidential exhorted them to come to our nation's capital
Egg them on
He hardly ever discourages violence
And more often encouraged is it this president
There's a great deal of the blame
This mop was in good part President Trump's doing incited by his word
His lies
This violence in good part his responsibility is Everlasting
Think Shane
Today's events certainly certainly would not have happened
Without him now January 6th will go down as one of the darkest days and Reese
In American history a final warning to our nation about the consequences of a Deadman
Goljat president the people who enabled him the captive media that parents is lie
And the people
Follow him
As he attempts to push America
To the brink
A Bruin
As we reconvene tonight let us remember in the end all this mom has
Is really accomplished is to delay our work by a few hours we will resume our responsibilities now
When we will finish our task tonight the House and Senate chambers will be restored good as new
And ready for legislating in short order
The counting of the electoral votes is our sacred Duty
Democracies roots in this nation are deep they're strong and they will not be undone
Ever by a group of thugs
Democracy will Triumph as it has for centuries
So to my fellow Americans who was shocked and appalled by the images on their televisions today
And who are worried about the future of this country
Let me speak to you directly
The divisions in our country clearly Run Deep but we are a resilient forward
Looking and optimistic people and we will begin the hard work of repairing
In this nation tonight because here in America we do hard things in America
We always overcome our challenges heal the floor
Brother Jordy leader 2 minutes to the center of Oklahoma senator Lankford
Senator from Oklahoma
The vice-president you said things more eloquently than how we say it in Oklahoma
Oklahoma weed say something like why in God's name would someone think attacking law enforcement
Occupying United States Capitol is the best way to show that you're right why would you do
Do that
Writers and thugs don't run the capital where the United States of America we just took
Green a lot of things and we have a lot of Spirited debate in this room but we talked it out and we
We honor each other
Even in our disagreement that person that person that person is not my in
Anime that's my fellow American and while we disagree on things and disagree strongly at time
We do not encourage what happened today
Ever I want to join my fellow senators and saying thank
Thank you to the Capitol Hill Police the law enforcement National Guard the Secret Service who stood In Harm's Way while we were here debating
They were pushing back and I was literally interrupted mid-sentence speaking here
Because we're all in aware of what was happening right outside this room because of their faithfulness
And because what they have done and I want to thank you then thank them
Ronald Reagan once said Peace is not the absence of conflict it is the ability to
To handle Conflict by peaceful means
The peaceful people in my state and Oklahoma want their questions answered but they don't want this what happened today
I want to do the right thing and they also want to do it the right way they want on saint of the
To snow process but they also want to have debate about election security because they want to make sure it's right which is why
Nothing important issue that still needs to be resolved transparency in government just doesn't seem like a bad idea
Obviously the commission that we have asked for is not going to happen at this point
And I understand that and we are headed towards tonight towards the certification of Joe Biden to be the
The president of the United States and we will work together in this body to be a
Table set a peaceful example the days ahead are you the floor
Democratic leader Nevada senator Cortez masto
Senator from Nevada vice-president
I know that this room is full of leaders of both parties
Who love this country and many believe that for America to succeed our politics must
Find common ground and that has never been clearer than today
When armed rioters storm the US Capitol emboldened by President Trump's false and
Inflammatory rhetoric about the 2020 elections I believe that we in this chamber
I have a special Duty As Leaders to work together to lower the temperature of our Paula
Politics and I hope that my colleagues would question the legitimacy of this election
In Arizona and all of these other states now see the dire and dangerous consequences
Sowing doubt and uncertainty I also know that as US senators
We all take solemnly the oath we swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States
Against all enemies foreign and domestic at this moment in history
I can think of nothing more patriotic than renewing our faith in the charters of freedom
That our founding fathers crafted for our Republic starting with a fundamental American principle in Ark
Declaration of Independence that governments derive their just powers from the consent
Of the government the people have spoken in this election and our only job here today
It should do what they asked it is not to argue election security
That's not the place for what we are doing today are constitutions for
Typically reserved to the people the right to meet in their respective States and vote for the President and Vice
President as a result individual states oversee and implement the election process
Federal government to guard against fraud or irregularities in the voting process the states are required
Tired to have robust election security measures likewise state legislators have the opportunity to observe
Examine evidence of voter fraud before they certified their Electoral College votes and are
Court from district courts to the United States Supreme Court adjudicate legal challenges
Election just use all of those things happened after the 2020 election
Steakhouses in courts across the country took allegations of voter fraud seriously and follow
The Constitutional process to hear challenges to this year's election no State found at
Evidence of any widespread voter fraud and neither did any Court asked to review the states
Finding in Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey Democratic secretary
State Katie Hobbs Republican attorney general Mark brnovich and state Supreme Courts
Chief justice Robert brutinel all certified the results of the election on November 30th
And we know we have heard Arizona's have been voting by mail for almost 30 years and Governor Ducey
Has expressed confidence in the state's process numerous times in November he said we do elections
Well here in Arizona the system is strong and that's why I have bragged on it so much he further stated
We have some of the strongest election laws in the country laws that prioritize accountability
And clearly lay out our procedures for conducting canvassing and even contesting the results
And their rights Arizona has one of the most transparent election processes in the country
With built-in accountability starting with internal auditing we have her
Unfounded allegations that voting machines in Arizona and elsewhere somehow change boat Ali's
Or somehow improperly rejected ballots while claiming to accept them these
Allegations all ignore the fact that Arizona counties conducted ballot
Audits by hand to double-check the machine count and these audits found no widespread fraud
Or irregularities Maricopa County the county were there more than 60% of the state
Population resides conducted a post-election hand-count audit in the week after
The election which showed perfect 100% accuracy in the machine tabulations
So why would we need my colleagues to call for a 10-day emergency audit to be
We conducted by a legislative commission when it's already been done by the state of Arizona
What happened to states rights the audit involve checking ballots for the presidential election
But also balance for Federal and State Legislative elections the audit report shows every precincts machine
Jean and hand count totals for each of the races audited and for every single race in every Precinct
The difference between the hand count in the machine count was 0
Report stated no discrepancies were found by the hand count audit boards
Seeking to find any reason the contestes results from their state Republicans and try to claim that Maricopa County
Fail to follow state law in conducting this audit by selecting voting Center locations to audit instead of
Voting precincts this was wrong and this too went to Accord
In rejecting this claim State Court in Arizona found that the county followed the properly issued guidance
Unhand audit procedures from the Arizona Secretary of State
And the court found that Maricopa County officials therefore could not lawfully have perform the hand count audit the wave
The plaintiffs wanted it done if they had done so they would have exposed themselves to criminal punish
The Senators 5 minutes is expired
Please my colleagues do not disenfranchise the voters of Arizona
Dona and certify their votes tonight thank you
Misread that I healed up to 5 minutes to the senator from Utah said early Saturday
Utah
Mr. president prepare my remarks for today seems like a lifetime ago
A lot's changed in the last 2 hours so I'm going to deliver some of the same remark
Has a little bit of a different feel then it would have just a few hours ago my thoughts and
Prayers go out to the family members of those who have been injured or killed today my
Heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Capitol Hill Police who valiantly defended our building and our lives
Well it's true that legitimate concerns have been raised with regard
The House of the key Battleground States conducted their presidential elections
This is not the end of the story we each have to remember that we've sworn an oath to uphold
Protect and defend this document
Written nearly two-and-a-half centuries ago by the way Wiseman raised up by God to that very purpose
That document makes clear what our rule is and what it isn't it makes clear
Who does what when it comes to deciding presidential elections
You see because you know our system of government presidents are not directly elected their chosen by
Presidential electors makes very clear under Article 2 Section 1
Bet the states shall appoint presidential electors according to procedures that their
Fletcher's develop then comes the 12th Amendment that explains what we're doing here today
The capital explains that the president of the Senate the vice president United States shall open the ballast
MW shelvin be counted it's those words that can find Define and
Bring every scrap of authority we have in this process
Our job is to open and then count open then count that's it that's all
Call Thayer is
There are of course rare instances instances in which multiple
Slates of electors can be submitted by the same state that doesn't happen very often
Happened in 1960 it happened in 1876 let's hope it doesn't ever happen again and those rare moments
Congress has to make a choice it has to decide which of the electoral votes will be counted in which will not that didn't
Not happened here thank heavens and let's hope that it never does
Many of my colleagues have raised objections or had previously stated there in 10
To raise objections with regard to these
You are the last few weeks I've met with lawyers on both sides of the issue met with lawyer
Lawyers representing the Trump campaign reading everything I could find about the Constitutional Provisions in question and
Spent a lot of time on the phone with legislators and other leaders from the contested States
I didn't initially declare my position because I didn't get to have one I wanted to get the facts first
I said I wanted to understand what was happening I wanted to give the people
Serving in government in the contested States the opportunity to do whatever they felt
They needed to do to make sure that their election was properly reflected
I spent an enormous amount of time reaching out to state government officials in those States but in none of it
Contested State no not even one
Did I discover any indication that there was any chance that any state
Or Secretary of State Governor or lieutenant governor had any intention
To alter the Slate of electors that being the case our job is a very simple one
This simply isn't how our federal system is supposed to work that is to say if you
Who have concerns with the way that an election
In the presidential race was handled in your state
The appropriate responses to approach your state legislators first and foremost
These protests from hearing from those who have raised concerns
They should have been focused on their state capitals not their Nations pack Capital because our role is narrow
Our role is defined our role is limited yes we are the election judges when it comes to members elected
To our own body and yes the House of Representatives they are the judges of their own races there we also have
Authority to prescribe as a congress
Rules governing the time place and manner of Elections for senators and representatives there is no corresponding
With respect to presidential elections none whatsoever it doesn't exist our job
Is to convene to open the balance and account them that's it
Thank you mr president idea for
Democratic leader from Colorado
Miss your voice present thank you for surprising College it's been terrible
Today for everybody here and and I and for our country one of the things I was thinking about
Today is something I often think about when I'm on this floor which is that the founders of this country
The people that wrote our constitution actually knew our history better than we know
So hard history history today is we saw the mob riot
Washington DC thinking about what the founders were thinking about when they wrote our Constitution which was
What happened to the Roman Republic when armed gangs doing the work for politicians
Prevented Rome from casting their ballots for consoles
For prayers for senators these were the offices in Rome
Chinese armed gang ran through the streets of Rome keeping elections from being started
Keeping elections from ever being called and in the end because of that
The Roman Republic fell and a dictator took its place
And that was the end of the Roman Republic or any Republic for that matter until
Do this beautiful Constitution was written in the United States of America
My fervent hope that the way that we respond to this today my dear College
Is it we give the biggest bipartisan vote we can it support of our democracy
And in support of our Constitution and introjection for what we saw today and what the Romans
Republic store in its own time there's a tenancy around this place I think
Get to always believe that were the first people to confront something when that seldom the case and
Underappreciated what the effect of our actions will be
We need to deeply appreciate in this moment Our obligation to the Constitution or
Listen to the Democracy or obligation to The Republic there are people in this chamber
Didn't have Twisted the words Twisted the words of a statute
In the 19th century that was meant to actually settle our electoral dispute to leave
Even with the state senator from Utah was safe to give us a ministerial Rolex
In very rare circumstances that's what that law is about
Did the senator of Texas was talking about today
Tomorrow that's leading us to be asked to overturn the judgments of 60 quarts in a
America courts in Arizona some of whom have have have
The presidents lawyers out of the courtroom because there's no evidence of fraud
About the way the fact that 37% of 39% of American think there's no evidence of
Broadsword 2337 support does not mean there is strong
If you turned a blind eye
2 conspiracy theory you can't now come to the floor of the Senate and say you're ignoring
The people who believe the election was stolen
Truth
What does that every single member of this Senate knows this election wasn't stolen
And that we just as in the Roman Republic have a responsibility to protect the engine
Attendance of the Judiciary from politicians who will stop at nothing to hold onto power
There's nothing new about that either
That's been true since the first Republic was found
So now we find ourselves in the position just days after many senators Years War
To uphold and defend the Constitution every single member of the House of Representatives
For the same author as well and I think we got a solemn obligation and response
Ability here to prove once again that this country
Is a nation of laws and not of men
And the only result then we can reach together is one that reject
The claim of the senator from Texas and the other members of the House and Senate who seek to over
Return the decisions that are made by the states by the voters in the states and by the court if we
Follow what day is proposed we will be the ones they will have
Franchise every single person
Who cast their vote in this election whether they voted for the president or they didn't
I urge you to reject this and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve with every single one of you
Thank you mister president
Majority leader of the center from Georgia Senator Loeffler senator from
Georgia
Mr. president when I arrived in Washington this morning I fully intended to object to the certification
Electoral votes however the events that have transpired today have forced me to reconsider and I
I cannot now in good conscious objector the certification of these electors
Silence the lawlessness and seas of the halls of Congress are important and stand is a direct attack on
A very institution by objected my objection was intended to protect the sanctity
City of the American Democratic process and I think law enforcement for keeping us safe
I believe that there were last-minute changes to the November 2020 election process in serious irregularities
It resulted in too many Americans losing confidence not only in the Integrity of our elections but in the power
Of the ballot as a tool of democracy too many Americans are frustrated at what they see as an unfair
System nevertheless there is no excuse for the events that took place in these Chambers today and I pray that
America never suffered such a dark day again though the fate of this vote is clear the few
Future of the American people's faith in the core institution of this democracy remains uncertain wizard
Body must turn our Focus to protecting the Integrity of our elections and restoring every Americans faith
That they're both their voice and their vote matters America's a divided country with serious differences
But it is still the greatest country on Earth there can be no disagreement that upholding democracy is the o
Only path to preserving our Republic are you on the floor
Democratic leader
Senator Booker and two-and-a-half minutes to Senator Kaine
Universal Warner senator from Virginia
I applaud the comments of my colleague from Georgia deeply my first job
After school was in Macon Georgia working for a federal judge linear Anderson and I learned a lot
Thought about integrity and a lot about law from him I also learned some sad list
That in the history of Georgia and indeed Virginia and many states so many people is
Especially people of color have been disenfranchised over the course of our history or like friend
John Lewis congressman from Georgia was savagely beaten on Bloody Sunday
Just for Marching for voting rights that act of violence inspired this part of the US
I sent it to come together in March of 1965 and worked to pass in a bipartisan fashion
The Voting Rights Act we should be coming together today
After acts of violence
As United States Senate
To affirm the votes of all who cast ballots
In November
Instead we're contemplating an unprecedented objection that would be a massive
Enticement of American voters
The Georgia result was very clear a 12.000 vote margin to certifications by Republic
Open officials for separate recounts and canvases 7 lawsuits
As in the other states if we objector results like this the messages
So clear we are staying two states no matter how secure an accurate your elections are
Will gladly overthrow them if we don't like who you voted for
But more importantly what will be saying
Really what will be doing
Is as the body that acted together to guarantee Americans the right to vote
We will become the agent of one of the most massive disenfranchisement
In the history of this country so I urge all of my colleagues
Please oppose the objections
Thank you not yield to my colleague from New Jersey senator from New Jersey
Vice president
2 times in American history that individuals leave sees to our capital
Stormed our sacred Civic spaces and try to over rent on append Andover
Run this government one was in the War of 1812
And the other one was today
What's interesting about the parallel between the two is
They both were waving flags
Twas. Burn
Twin individual
Surrendering Democratic principles to the cult of personality one with a monarch in England
The other with the flags ice all over our Capital including in the hallways and in this room to a sting
Single person named Donald Trump
Is that difference between these two times as one was yet another nation in the history of our country to try to challenge
United States of America
But this time
We brought this hell upon ourselves
My colleague from Texas said that this was a moment where
Unprecedented allegations of voter fraud yes that is true
They were on president when the president before the election even happen said if I lose this election than the election
It was rigged that's unprecedented
It's impressively before the Knights of the voting even Scout the vote was even done that.
Riggs
And some pressing of the youth Fanning the Flames of conspiracy theory to create a smokescreen in this name
Patient
Cover what he is trying to do with his undermine our Democratic principles but it's not just that
The shame of this day is it being aided and abetted
I could Americans who are falling prey
Court ruling Trump over truth
Horse surrendering to the passion of Lies as opposed to standing up and
Speaking truth to power who are trying to fundraise
Off of the shame of conspiracy theories as opposed to doing the incalculably
Valuable
Patriotic thing to speak truth to our nation
Our democracy is wounded and I saw it when I saw pictures of yet another Insurgency
Americans apply to challenge our nation I saw the flag of the Confederacy there
What will we do how will we confront this shame how will we confront this dark
Second time in American history
I pray that we remember a Georgian
His words all I can say is we must inspirit going together like those Georgians
A bridge called The Edmund Pettus who join hands were called threats to our democracy who were called
Outrageous epithets
When they sought to expand our democracy just save it Vicky lit when they joined arm and arm and said what we
Commit ourselves to that ideal two together we shall
Overcome
Majority Leader spread are you left 5 minutes to send
Nebraska Senator Sasse from Nebraska thank you
Let me just say before begin thank you for the way you were fulfilled your
Constitutional duties in your oath of office today and obviously hasn't been easy
Today's been ugly and when I get into the floor this morning I plan to
To talk about the lesson of 1801 cuz I'm kind of History nerd and I wanted to celebrate the
Glories of the peaceful transition of power across our nation's history feels a little naive now to talk about
Ways that American Civics might be something that could unite us and bring us back together 1801 blue everybody's mind
All over the world by the way John Adams loses to Thomas Jefferson and Adams
Langley leaves the executive mansion and moved back to Massachusetts and Jefferson peacefully assumes power
And people all over Europe said those must be that must be fake news those must be bad reports there's no way
Any executive whatever willingly lay down power and yet Adams in defeat did something glow
Aureus to give all of us a gift I wanted to celebrate that and it feels a little bit harder now
This building has been desecrated blood has been spilled and always
I was with octogenarian members of this chamber that needed to have troops and
Police stabilize them to get down the stairs at a time when a lot of our stabs were panicked and
Under their desks and not knowing what was going to happen to him it was ugly today but you know what it turns out
When something's ugly talkin about beauty isn't just permissible. Beauty it's obligatory
At a time like that why why would we talk about beauty after the ugliness it today because
Other kids need to know this isn't what America is what happened today isn't
What America is they've been given a glorious inheritance is the 59th presidential election Vice
That wasn't the chair and if the president pro temp was out of made some joke that Chuck grassley's has voted in two-thirds of those V
59 presidential election
Dear dear Dad but it still got a Grassley laugh I don't think we want to tell the emir
Americans that come after us that this Republic is broken but this is just a Banana Republic that are
Tatoosh ins can't be trusted hometowns I don't think we wanted to
Tell our kids that America's best days are behind us because it's not true
America isn't Hatfields and McCoys blood Feud forever America's Union
There's a lot that's broken in this country but not anything that's so big that the American Pie
People can't rebuild it but freedom and community and entrepreneurial effort and that neighborhood
Can't rebuild nothing that's broken is so big that we can't fix it generations of our
Forefathers and foremothers Prime out a word our ancestors have spilled blood
To defend the glories of this Republic why would they do that because America
Is the most exceptional nation in the history of the world in because the Constitution is the greatest political document that
Ever been written most governments in the past instead might-makes-right and we saw some of that food
Oregon Lottery today might makes right now it doesn't God gives us rights by Nature
And government is just our shared project to secure those rights America has always been a
About what we choose to do together the way we reaffirm our constitutional system
And we all in this body could do better at those governmental task but the heart of America is that government
Receta remerica is not Washington DC the center of America's the neighborhoods were 330 million Americans are raising our
Kids are trying to put food on the table and trying to love their neighbor that's the Center of America that we're not supposed to be the most important people in them
We're supposed to be servant leader to try to maintain a framework for ordered Liberty so there's a structure that
Back home where they live they can get from the silver frame of structure in order to the Golden Apple at the center
As Washington would have said it which is the things that they build together the places where they coach little league to play
Places where they invite people to synagogue or church sometimes the big things we do today together our governmental like chicken
There's a sore like going to the moon sometimes there is governmental stuff but the heart of America is about place
Where moms and dads are raising kids and we're supposed to serve them by maintaining order and by rejecting violence
You can't do big things like that if you hate your neighbors you can't do big things
Together As Americans if you think other Americans are the enemy there's a
A lot of uncertainty about the future I get it there's a lot that does need to be rebuilt but if you're
You're angry I want to beg you don't let the screamers who monetize hate have the
The final word nealis become your drug dealers there are some who want to burn it all down
We met some of them today but they aren't going to win don't let them be your profits instead organized
Persuade but most importantly love your neighbor visit the widow or down the street who Lonely No One tell
Tell anybody that his wife died and he didn't have a lot of friends shovel somebody's neighbor shovel somebody's driveway you can't hate
It's somebody who just shoveled your driveway the heart of life is about community and neighborhood and we're supposed to be servant leaders
The Constitutional system is still the greatest order for any government ever and it's our job to Stewart it and
And protect it let's remember that today when we vote
Democratic leader
In March of 1861 of Springfield lawyer caught a train to Washington
His name was Abraham Lincoln it wasn't his first trip here it's served as a congressman
15 years before any return beginning of the Civil War to serve as president
It was a different place than the new one is Congressman in 15 years and changed a lot the spring boarding house across the
Street which is now the Library of Congress was gone and this building was changing big changes
They're building a dome on the capitol but they were also and the earliest days
Is war and President Lincoln was counseled stop building the Dome
Too much money we can't spend any more time on it and he said no we're going to build that
We're going to finish it that dome in this building will be a symbol of this country it will
Will Survive the Civil War and come back strong so they built the Dome
They won the war and since those days that dome in this building have been assembled to the
Country the symbol of unity and of Hope
Tours come through here before covid-19 by the tens of thousands
If you've ever noticed their tours they're often shushed people are saying show some respect
Spectre this building we know this building in the Rotunda is a place where some of the greatest Amer
American Heroes both political parties lie in state and we go there to honor them
We know this building because we work here we enact laws here that changed America
We Gather for state-of-the-union messages from presidents and out of the people in the gallery
This is a special place this is a sacred place but this Secret
Place was desecrated by a mob today on r1ch
This Temple to democracy was defiled by thugs roam the Halls
Set in that chair Mister vice president the one that you vacated at 2:15 this afternoon
Set the post for pictures those who were roaming around this chamber what brought
The song is this mob spring spontaneously from America
Know this mob was invited to come to Washington on this day
By this president for one reason because he knew the Electoral College vote
It's going to be crowded this day he wanted this mob to disrupt the Constitutional process
Guess which we are part of this mob was inspired by a president who cannot accept
Defeat if you wonder whether I'm going too far and when I say just read the tree
Transcript with the secretary of state from Georgia and Listen to This president's wild conspiracy
One after the other swatted down by that Republican elected official in his attorney
Is having no basis in fact this President bags
He coaxes even threatens that Secretary of State to find
The boats he needs and any other venue that would be a simple obvious cry
I'm the links you'll go to Robbie's the Texas senators
Many people still agree with him you know when he gets down to the bottom line
Many people has fallen for this presidential position that it must have been a rigged election if I lost
Well I would say that after we lost count 57
Lawsuits 62 lawsuit I've read so many numbers after 90 different judges
After this president took his case the best he can put together to the highest court in the land across the street
We're here personally chosen three justices on the Supreme Court is Aiden senator from
Texas you know much more about that court than I do I don't believe they let that paper that he set up there even hit the desk
Just before they left it out of the court and that's the best he had to offer no evidence
Whatsoever of this rigged election in this fraudulent the senator from Texas says we just want to cry
Create a little commission 10 days we're going to audit all the states
In Contention here and find out what actually occurred and it really draws is parallel 18:7
36 Hazen Tilden don't forget what that commissioned that so-called political compromise
Achieved it was not just some ordinary governmental commission it was a commission
The killed Reconstruction that established Jim Crow that even after a
Civil War which tore this nation apart entry enslaved African-Americans and it was a commission that invite
The voter suppression we're still fighting today in America
Any close by saying this
We're going to have here is a clear choice of whether we are going to feed the beast of it
Ignorance or we are going to tell the truth to the American people we saw that Beast today roaming
The Halls let's not invited back
Majority Leader senator from Kansas Marshall
Senator from Kansas thank you mr. president freedom of speech and the free
Freedom to protest are provided in our Constitution and why share the same frustrations minion
Americans have for the presidential election the violence and MOB rule which occurred at the us at Capitol
Holiday Inn across the country of the past year unacceptable and I can dim at the highest level
And like all of us in the chamber I'm thankful for the heroic law enforcement officers who worked feverishly to restore
Order so we get back to the electrical certification process dream I-29
Your career as an obstetrician and gynecologist too often I had to sit down with patients and give them a very bad diagnose
It might have been a young mother 3 who I delivered all three of her babies now with metastatic breast
Best cancer or perhaps another woman with Advanced cervical or ovarian cancer all with a very Channel
Challenging prognosis but before I sit down with each one of those patients I carefully reviewed all their labs
Through X-rays and their pathology make sure I had the facts straight but at the end of the day my final recommendation was always going to be
Maybe a recommendation from my heart I want my pillow kansans and all Americans to know that I've given his
Much consideration and thought surrounding the issue objecting to a state Electoral College votes as I did
During the treatment plan for a serious health concern and today's decision once again is from my heart
Mr. president I rise today to restore Integrity to our Republic and Horizon
Doing the many of our colleagues are all concerned for current and future Generations we must restore faith in Compton
It's one of our Republic's most towel patriotic duties boating there's no question
Are US Constitution empowers state legislators to execute free legal and fair election
Unfortunately in several States the clear authority of those state legislature to determine the rules for
Voting where we were usurped by Governor's Secretary of States and activist courts
Our laws and Constitution should always be followed especially in a time of crisis
I don't rise and do a States legally obtained Electoral College votes rather irise in hopes of improving the antenna
Tegridy of the ballot to hold States accountable to the time proven constitutional system of the Electoral
College this is why I ordered the formation of electoral commission to give constructive suggestions and recommend
Sedation the safe can make to make her elections once again safe free and fair after
Year of jarring irregularities we must and will have a peaceful transition to power
Do my fellow Americans I have no doubt that our Republican go stronger through this difficult day may God
Bless his great Republic thank you mr. president I yield back
Critical leader senator from Illinois
2004 I packed up my rucksack lace up my boots and deployed to Iraq
Ready to sacrifice whatever was asked of me all because I love this nation
Willing to sacrifice my life is if needed because I believe in the sanctity of our electoral system
WeChat declared George W bush my commander-in-chief
My wounds probably fighting in a war I did not support on the orders of a
The president I did not vote for him because I believed in and I still do believe in the valley
No use pronation because I believe in a government of by and
For the people where voters
Voters choose who leads them not the other way around I have spent
My entire adult life defending our democracy but I never never thought
It would be necessary to defend it from an attempted violent overthrow and I'll Nation Zone Capitol building
Well I refuse to let anyone in touch on instigating chaos or
Inciting violence deter me from carrying out my constitutional duties you know where my
Buddies and I raised our right hands when the 45 thousand troops in Arizona race there
Right hand and swore to protect and defend the Constitution we did not qualify
By saying that we follow orders only when the commander-in-chief was someone whose election we were happy with
Just like when every senator in this chamber was sworn into office we didn't mutter under album
Crafts that we discharge our duties only when it's served our political interest or helped us to avoid the wrath of a
Petty insecure wannabe tin-pot dictator on the precipice of losing power and rella
No there is no ambiguity Scheer Joe Biden won the election
With a record number of votes Republican officials Nationwide
From those results including an Arizona judge after Trump appointed judge
Even Trump's attorney general admitted that the United States Department of Justice had not found
Widespread fraud that would have affected the outcome yet still many of my Republican
Colleagues are asking us to ignore all of that with no evidence of their own their ask
Ignore court rulings ignore Republican election officials and even worse ignore
I want the will of the people across this vast great nation by trying to overturn this
Action they are placing more trust in Reddit conspiracy theories over the Constitution
Proving that appeasing Trump is more important to them than protecting the most basic tenet
Head of our Republic that he rents to free and fair elections
There's one thing I know it's up my troops didn't sign up to defend our democracy in war zones thousands of my
Miles away only to watch a crumble in these hallowed Halls here at home
That is what this effort amounts to an attempt to subvert our democracy and in the process
It is threatening what makes America American because in this country
In this country the power of the people has always mattered more than the
People in power that is the idea that this nation was founded upon that is why
Quite a few Patriots threw some tea in Boston Harbor why Washington cross the Delaware why suffragist
A century ago and why my friend John Lewis cross that bridge in Selma in 1965
It is why Millions spent a Tuesday in November standing in line breathing a pandemic 2
To make their voices heard listen this Administration has always had an advanced
Adversarial relationship with the truth Trump always cries conspiracy always
Pullman's chaos whenever something doesn't go his way but today we hear industry
Chamber have the opportunity to prove that here in this country truth matters
Cutright matters that the will of the people matters more than the whims of any sin
Single powerful individual
I have no tea to throw in Boston Harbor tonight and I regret
Do I have to pack for my country no Blackhawk to Pilot
Nor am I asking for any Grand gesture for my Republican colleagues
All that I'm asking of you is to reflect on the old so you have sworn on the Damned
Damage Done to our union today and on the sacrifices made by those who've given so
So much for this nation from the servicemembers at Fort Huachuca and Marie
Forever station View Mall to the Marchers who bet America's moral Arc a bit more towards Justice with every single step
But they took every bridge that they cross then ask yourself whether the Democracy they were willing to
Complete for the country that each of us in this chamber has sworn to defend is worth damaging
In order to protect a porcelain ego of a man who treats our constitution as if it were little more than a yellow
One piece of paper I think we all know the right answer
Majority leader
Spread out of heal after 5 minutes that the senator from Kentucky senator Paul
I wrote a speech for today I was planning to say that I fear the chaos of a stye
A precedent that Congress can overturn elections
Or was I right chaos Anarchy the violence today was wrong and an American
The boat we are about to cast is incredibly important now more than ever the question is
Should Congress override the certified results from the states and nullify this
States rights to conduct elections the vote today is not a protest the boat today is literally to over
Turn elections we've been told that this is a protest this about an electoral commission no it's not it's a
About whether to seat the electors that have been certified by a state it's not about electoral commission it's not about
Throat that you can go outside if you want to protest this is about overturning Estates
Certified election if you vote to overturn these elections when it be the opposite of what state
States rights Republicans have always advocated for him this would Doom the Electoral College forever
It was never intended bar Founders that Congress have the power to overturn state-certified elections
My oath to the Constitution doesn't allow me to disobey the law I can't vote to overturn the verdict
Two states such a vote would be to overturn everything held dear by those
Those of us who support the rights of states in this great system of federalism those bequeathed us barf
Founders the Electoral College was created to devolve the power of soul
Electing presidential electors to the states the Electoral College is without question and
An Inseparable friend to those who believe that every American across our vast country deserves to be on
If Congress were to give the power to overturn the state's election what terrible
Chaos would ensue every 4 years imagine the furor against the Electoral
College if Congress becomes a forum to overturn States Electoral College slaves
It's one thing to be angry it's another to focus one's anger in constructive ways
That hasn't happened today to say the least we simply cannot destroy the Constitution
Our laws and the Electoral College in the process
I hope as the nation's anger cools we can channel that energy into essential elect
Tore reforms at the state level
America's admired around the world for our free election we must we absolutely
We must fix this mess and restore confidence and integrity to our elections we must
Democratic leader
Senator from Virginia senator Warner senator from Virginia
I think most of us I'm still pretty reeling
What happened today
What I was going to talk about was the work
When worked on most products since I've been here with my good friend Richard Burr and all the members of the intelligence
Church committee about a multi-year report we did into foreign interference in our elections
Probably our top recommendation that five-volume bipartisan report
Was that any
Official or candidate
Should use restraint and caution
When questioning results of our elections
Because when you do so
You often carry out the goals of our foreign adversaries
Use caution because whether knowingly or unknowingly
And whether the adversary is in Russia or China or Iran
Their goals are pretty simple
They want to make it appear Americans to folks around the world
Their own people that there's nothing special about American democracy
I was going to try in a feeble waiter maybe reach some of the rhetorical Heights of Ben Sasse and I know I couldn't do that
Winsted violating rules here today for violating
This is a photo of Paris today on one of most prominent German newspapers
You don't need all that you can crop photos from any newspaper
Or any television feed anywhere across the world
What is this photo on itself Uggs
Subs
In the halls of this capital
Diminishing
Everything we say we believe in
In this democracy
And when you look at those images
Realize
Those images
Are priceless
For answers
A dwelling tonight
In an overwhelming way we're going to take a small step in a bipartisan way to start restoring that true
Trust of our people and hopefully the billions of people around the world who believe in that notion of America
Remember these images were still interested
Majority leader
From Missouri serijali senator from Missouri thank you
I want to begin this evening by saying thank you to the men and women of the capitol
Hill Police armed the national Guardsmen lima metropolitana
Police and others who came to this Capital who put their lives on the line to protect everyone here working
Looking inside of it I don't want to thank law enforcement all across this country and my home state of Missouri
Siri and everywhere else who do that day in and day out and I just want to acknowledge that when it comes to violence this has been
A terrible year in America this last year we seen a lot of violence against law enforcement today we saw
Start here in the capital of the United States and in this country in the United States of America week
Cannot saying statically enough violence is not how you achieve change violence
Is not how you achieve something better our constitution was built and put into place so that there
It would be in the words of Abraham Lincoln no appeal from Dallas to bullets which is what we
We saw unfortunately attempted tonight there is no place for that in the United States of America
And that's why I submit to my colleagues at what we're doing here tonight is actually very important
Because for those who have concerns about the Integrity of our elections those who have concerns about what happened in November
This is the appropriate memes this is the lawful place where those objections and concerns
Should be heard this is the Forum that the law provides for our laws provide for
For for those concerns to be registered not through violence not buy a peeling from ballots to bullets but she
Here in this lawful process and so to those who say that this is just a formality
Today and antique ceremony that we've engaged in for a couple of hundred years I can't see
Did I agree I can't say that our presidents suggest that I actually think it's very vital what we do
The opportunity to be heard to register objections is very vital because this is the place where those objection
Already be heard and dealt with debated and finally resolved in this lawful mean
Peacefully without violence without attacks without bullets into his present let me do
Just say now briefly in lieu of speaking about it later weird about Pennsylvania which is a state that I have
Have been focused on ejected to as an example of why people are concerned millions of them
Americans concerned about her election Integrity Pennsylvania quite apart from allegations of any fraud
You have a state constitution that is been interpreted for over a century to say that there is no mail in
Battling permitted except for a very narrow circumstances that also provided for in the law and yet last
Deer Pennsylvania elected officials passed a whole new law that allows Universal mail-in ballot e
And did it irregardless of what the Pennsylvania Constitution said and then went Pennsylvania citizens
Tried to go and be heard on this subject before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court they were dismissed
On grounds of procedure timeliness in violation of that Supreme Court's own precedent
So the merits of the case of never been heard the constitutionality of the statute actually has never been defended I'm not aware of any Court
His passing is constitutionally actually not aware of anybody who has defended the constitutionality and this was what this was the stat
Happy that governed this last election which were over 2.5 million mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania this is my
My point that this is the Forum the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hasn't heard the case there's no
Know where the court to go to to hear the case in the state and so this is the appropriate place for these concerns
Steube race which is why I have raised them here today and I hope that this body will not miss the opportunity
To take affirmative action to address the concerns of so many millions of Americans to say to millions of Americans
Tonight but violence is never warranted that violence will not be tolerated at those who engagement will be
But this body will act to address the concerns of all Americans across the country we do need and investigate
Haitian into irregularities fraud we do need a Way Forward together we need election security
I bet my friends on the other side of the aisle don't disagree with that we need to find a way to move forward on that together
But the American people from both parties all walks of life can have confidence in their elections
And we can arrange ourselves under the rule of law that we share together take this prisoner before
Democratic leader
Senator for Pennsylvania
I rise tonight so defend the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
To defend the more than 6.9 million voters who vote in this election and if
In the strongest possible terms this attempt to disenfranchise the
Voters of Pennsylvania based upon a lie a falsehood
That same lie so the seeds of today's violence and today
Today's lawlessness here in the capital
One of my constituents Susan from the Lehigh Valley the community of our state where Senator Toomey lives
Recently wrote to my office and perhaps said it best she said and I quote we cannot allow
Anybody
To overturn the legal votes of the citizens of Pennsylvania this would be the ultimate
Destruction of our democracy unquote Susan had it right we cannot allow
Anybody and she put that word in all caps to overturn the legal votes of the p
People of our state let me address the allegation regarding the Pennsylvania
Constitution and the general assembly somehow that the general assembly didn't have the
Party to enact no excuse mail-in voting
That process for the people of our state first the law and question ax7
97 was passed in 2019 and was implemented without any serious question as
To its constitutionality the law was passed by a republican-controlled general assembly
House and Senate it was only after the 2020 election when it became clear the president-elect Obama
Biden won Pennsylvania by little more than 80.000 votes did some Republican politician
Is Interstate decide to challenge the constitutionality of the law II
X77 is plainly constitutional my colleagues allege that the
State constitution requires in-person voting except under limited circumstances
This is not true while Pennsylvania lays out specific situations in which absentee voting is
Is required there is no in person requirement in our state's Constitution
The Constitution set up a floor not a ceiling for this type of voting
Second apart from the argument made by my colleague there's bipartisan
Agreement across our state at the local state and federal level that our election was fair
Secure and lothal on Monday
My colleague from Pennsylvania Senator Toomey Road in and out bed and I'm quoting the evidence is over
Whelming the Joe Biden won this election unquote there's simply no
No evidence to justify the outrageous claims of widespread voter fraud or election
And irregularities suggesting suggested by those seeking to overturn the election 60
Cases Court after court all throughout our state and throughout the country including the Supreme Court.
Dealing with this bizarre argument that we know is based upon that lie
In one quart United States court of appeals for the third Circuit Judge Vivas
Appointed by President Trump he said quote the campaign's claims have no merit unquote
The United States He said has free and fair elections which are the lifeblood of our democracy
Charges require specific allegations and then proof we have
Neither here on quote so said judge Beavis finally mr. president
What about those election officials who did such work these election officials all across our state
Publicans and Democrats from Red counties in blue County they did their jobs they are patriots
And these objections are in attack on these Pennsylvania public servants give you wanted
Sample Republican commissioner Al Smith Schmidt I should say I Philadelphia
He wrote and I said Andy rotors I will quote as follows quote there really should not be
Be a disagreement regardless of party affiliation or were talking about counting votes by eligible
It's not a very controversial thing or at least it shouldn't be in quote
After election day commissioner Al Schmidt his family and his colleagues were subjected to
Deathreats simply because he was trying to do his job with integrity
Remind mr. president that great line from America the Beautiful Oh beautiful for
For Patriot dream that sees beyond the years these election officials like so many of
Are patriots we heard from Senator Duckworth tonight a real Patriot these Patriots
Did their job let's support these Patriots vote against this objection
I already later are you in 5 minutes to the senator from Utah senator Romney senator from Utah
Mr. president today was heartbreaking and and I will shake
The car is I thought about the people I met in China and Russia and Afghanistan and Iraq
Other places who yearn for freedom and it looked at this building and these shores as a place of
And I saw the images being broadcast around the world and it breaks my heart
525 grandchildren many of them were watching TV thinking about
But this building whether their grandpa was okay I knew I was okay I must tell you as well
I was proud to serve with these men and women visit extraordinary group of people
I'm proud to be a member of the United States Senate and beat with people of integrity
As we do here today selfish man's injured Pride
And the outrage of supporters who has deliberately misinformed for the past 2 months and stirred to action
This very morning what happened here today was an insurrection
Inside about the president of the United States those who choose to continue to support is a dangerous Gamble
By objecting to the results of a legitimate democratic election will forever be seen
As being complicit in an unprecedented attack against our democracy
Fairly or not they'll be remembered for their role and their shameful episode in American history
That will be their legacy
I salute Senator Langford and Leffler and Braun and dance and I'm sure others who in
In the light of the day's outrage have withdrawn their objection
Ready Who Remain insisted on an audit in order to satisfy the many people who believe that the elect
Action was stolen I'd offer this perspective no Congressional audit is ever
We're going to convince these voters particular when the president will continue to say that the election was stolen
The best way we can show respect for the voters who were upset is by telling them
The truth
That's the burden that's
The duty of leadership the truth is that president-elect Biden won the election
President Trump lost I've had that experience myself it's no fun
Scores of course the president's own attorney general state election officials both Republican and Democrat have reached
Set unequivocal decision
And in light of today's sad circumstances I ask my colleague do we wear on political fortunes more heavily
Anyway the strength of our Republic the strength of our democracy and the cause of Freedom what's the weight of
Personal Acclaim compared to the weight of conscience leader McConnell said that the vote today
Today is the most important in his 36 years of Public Service think of that authorized
YouTube wars vote again to impeachments he said that not because the vote reveals something about the
The election is because this vote reveal something about us
Heard by colleagues to move forward with completing the Electoral count to refrain from further of
Directions Auntie unanimously affirmed the legitimacy of the presidential election thank you
Mister president
New Hampshire Senator from New Hampshire
Mr. president on January 3rd I along with 30 one of my colleagues
Still in this chamber and swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United
It's both ironic and deeply disappointing that only 3D
After swearing these owes some of my colleagues are willfully
Coming close to Breaking This Promise since 1797 each
US president has peacefully handed over power to the next and that will happen again
On January 20th When Donald Trump despite the protesters today the Vine
Violence today when Donald Trump leaves the White House at noon and Joe Biden becomes president
And we've heard tonight from both Democrats and Republicans
About the importance of the boater speaking in the election and about the fact
Except there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud but this is not just
Definition for us here in the United States this is an issue for nascent democracies around the world
Who was Senator Romney said look to the United States as an example we are the
The Shining City on the hill we give those struggling under oppression
Hope for a better future now like so many of us in this chamber
Travel to developing democracies around the world to Afghanistan and Iraq to
The Western Balkans to Africa to the country of Georgia
I went there with my college Senator rich in 2012 we went to Georgia
To observe officially on behalf of the Senate that election between
Outgoing president Mikhail Saakashvili and his unit
United national movement party and the challenge by George and George and dream
Which was the newly-formed party supported and funded by billionaire oligarch
Bidzina ivanishvili it was a battle for Parliament but also
For control of the government Senator risch and I visited multiple polling places on Election Day
And we agreed with the international assessment that that election was free and fair and then
George and dream were the winners but there was real concern in the country that
Saakashvili was going to refuse to give up power that that would
Lead to violence it would end the nascent Democratic reforms that were happening
In that former Soviet Republic and so Senator risch and I
The day after the election went to visit president Saakashvili to try and talk him out of
Staying in power and I remember very clearly going to his home and we
We sat down with him and we pointed out that the Hallmark of a democracy what he had work so hard for
In his eight years as president of Georgia the Hallmark of that was to turn over power
In a peaceful election to the person that the voters chose well
President Saakashvili listen to ass and he did leave office peacefully
But it's important that you
Future Generations recognize that America like
Democracies everywhere depends on a peaceful transition of power on belief
Leaving in what the voters say and ensuring that happens on for
Fortunately we've heard from some Senators today who have been enabling President Trump's Wilfred District
Regard of the boats of our citizenry even as they speak out against foreign leaders who ignore
Their own people they will fail and history will remember them and
And I hope that future Generations will be the actions of some of those folks today is little
More than an unfortunate anomaly future opportunities may use this
Faded effort to seek short-term political gain over the long-term stability of our Republic
But for the sake of our great country and America's standing in the world I asked my collar
Legs today to fully endorse the results of the free and fair election
And set aside this part is an attempt to subvert the will of the people we should be there
Generating the peaceful transition of power even if our own preferred candidate didn't win
That is after all who we are in the United States of America
Present
55 minutes to Centerville Ohio Senator Portman senator from Ohio
Is Vice President you have
Fulfill your duties as president of the Senate tonight with distinction and we all appreciate
I thought if I change my mind and not speaking tonight given the lateness of the hour and I know all of my colleagues would have appreciated that
Greatly to speak because I want the America
People particularly my constituents in Ohio to see that we will not be intimidated
That will not be disrupted from our work it here in the suitable of democra
Proceed we will continue to do the work of the people
Mob rule is not going to Prevail here
Now let's face it we did not reclaim this chamber tonight
Brave and selfless Law Enforcement Officers stood in the breach and ensured that the
DeSoto of democracy would be protected and that we would be defended and we are deeply grateful for that as is
The nation
I've listened carefully to the comments of my colleagues and I've listened to over the past couple of weeks is this
Issue is been disgusting I tell you for me it's not a hard decision I stand with the
Constitution I stand with what the Constitution makes clear the people and the states hold the power here
Not us
My oath to the constitution in my reverence for our Democratic principles make it easy for me
To confirm
These state certification process some 15 years ago
When some Democrats chose
To eject to the electors for my home state of Ohio
After the 2004 elections
I post it then and I post it now
I said at the time Congress must not thwart the will of the people
That's what we would be doing
Let's assume for a moment that those who objected the certification to write
If the Constitution intended that a bare majority of members of Congress could circumvent the states that have chose
Listen to certify the popular votes
Of their own States citizens
I asked the objectors to think about
The precedent it would be set if we were to do that
What is the majority in the house and the Senate was at the other party with a presidential candidate of our party came through a close
Presidential election
Would you want a congress controlled by the Democrats to play the role you now intend for us
Is asking Congress to substitute its judgment for the Judgment of the voters
And it's judgement
For the Judgment of the states that certify the results and even forget
The dangerous precedent that would be set
What would be the basis for objecting in this election
Look I voted for President Trump
I supported him because I believe the Trump administration's policies are better for Ohio and for the country
And I supported the Trump campaign is right to pursue recounts that every right to do it
And legal challenges
I agree that there were instances of Fraud and irregularities in the 2020 elections I think we all do
And by the way there is fraud and irregularities in every presidential election
But it is also true that after two months of recounts and legal challenges not a single state recount change the result
And of the dozens of lawsuits filed not one
Found evidence of fraud or irregularities widespread enough to change the result
The election
This was the finding of numerous
Republican-appointed judges
And the Trump administration's own Department of Justice
Every stage is now weighed in and chosen to certify its electoral slate based on the popular vote as set out in the
Constitution
I understand that many Americans who would never storm this capital
Don't trust the Integrity of the 2020 election
Don't think the state should have certified don't think we should have accepted the results from the state and
Insisting on more transparency and accountability
In the 2016 elections lest we forget many Democrats
Objected to the results
And distressed at the election
I challenge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle
To listen
But also to do our part to try to restore faith in our elections
It's President we should all work to improve the Integrity of the electoral system
And the confidence of the American people in this bed rock
Of our great Democratic Republic
Today I'll do my constitutional duty to Posey's efforts to reject the state-certified results
And tomorrow in the wake of this attack on the capital to pandemic that engulfs us another National challenges
Let's work together for the people
Democratic leader
Senator King and Florida Senator Van Hollen it's correctly
This present Senator form a present
Winston Churchill once said that he could do a 2-hour speech extemporaneously but
A ten-minute speech took immense preparation I don't know what he would have said about a four-minute speech
We are a 240 year anomaly in world history
We think that what we have here in this country is the way it's always been
It is a very unusual form of government the normal form of government throughout world history is a dick
Haters Kings is ours fayroze Warlords tyrants
And we thought 20 years ago the march of History was toward democracy but it is
In retreat in Hungary in Turkey goodness knows in Russia
Democracy as we have practiced it is fragile
It's fragile and it rest upon trust it rest upon Trust
In fax it rest upon trust in courts in Pub
Public officials and yes in elections
I don't sympathize or Justify or in any way in
Anyway support that's a mile that's putting it mildly what happened here today but I understand
I understand it because I saw those people interview today and they said
We are here because this election has been stolen and the reason they
They said that is that their leader has been telling them that everyday for 2 months
We cannot afford to pull bricks out from the foundation of trust that underlie
Finds underlies our entire system and I agree with Governor Romney
That's the answer to this problem is to tell people the truth is to
Tell them what happened it's easy to confront your opponent
It's hard to confront your friends
It's hard to tell your supporters something they don't want to hear but
That's Our obligation that's why the word leader is applied to people in jobs like ours
It's not supposed to be easy it's supposed to be something that we take on
Call Nessa sacred obligation and if people believe something that isn't true it's our
Obligation to tell him know I'm sorry it isn't just a senator Portman just said
Is Mike Lee just said I'm sorry we can't do this here we don't want to do this here this is a power Reserve
To the states not to the Congress and I agree with the majority
I think this is one of the most important votes any of us will ever take
On December 1st 1862 Abraham Lincoln came to this building
He came to this building in the darkest days of the Civil War he was trying to awaken the Conch
Congress
To the crisis that we were facing and he didn't feel that they were
Fully and effectively engaged and he ended his speech that
That day with words that I think have an aerie relevance
Tonight here's what Abraham Lincoln said fellow
Americans we cannot Escape history we of this Congress and this
This Administration will be remembered In Spite of Ourselves no personal
Significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us
And here's his final words the fiery trial
Self-rule which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor
Honor to the latest generation the fiery trial through which
We pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the
Latest generation
Present senator for Maryland a thank-you Mr President
The mob violence in attack we saw on our capital
Today should be a wake-up call to each and everyone
One of us of what happens when we fail to come together not
As Democrats and Republicans but each of us as Americans to stand up
To a President Who Time and Again has shown contempt
For democracy
Contempt for a constitution today here on the capitol we witness
People taking down an American flag
And putting up a trump
Flag
That is not democracy in the United States of America as every
Saturday who is spoken has mentioned we have for hundreds of years had a peaceful
Transfer of power nobody likes to lose and supporters of the losing candidate
Always disappointed what's different this time we all know what's different this time we had
The president who was the senator from New Jersey said even before a vote was cast that if he didn't
When the election it was going to be a fraud and every day since then has perp
Perpetrated that why
We have a president who just today
Criticized very loyal vice president who is provide presiding right now urging him to do
Disregard his responsibilities out of the Constitution I had States in order to reinstall
Donald Trump is president
The same person who got on the phone to the Secretary of State in Georgia
And threaten him to change the results of the election
Present I read something this week I'd never thought I'd read in a newspaper in United States of America
It was an op-ed by all the living former secretaries of defense
Including secretary Rumsfeld Cheney and Mattis
Warning warning the country
About our tradition of peaceful transfer of power and that would be inappropriate for the military to take saw
Tides in the United States of America
We talked to the world about how
We want to promote democracy in our values and right here at home
Too many or undermining those values
I missed a present
Donald Trump could not do the solo
He can only do it if he's aided and abetted by individuals who are willing to purple
Those lies in those conspiracies
And that is why it is so important that we as Democrats and Republicans and Senators stand up
Together stand up together and tell
The truth you know when you go into 1/4 wall like they're sixty cases
You're testifying under penalty of perjury that's very different than here in the house in the Senate
And in all those 60 cases under penalty of perjury there was no evidence
A widespread fraud so it should be easy for us all together to tell
Tell the truth on January 20th Joe Biden will be sworn in as the next president knighted states
He has said he wants to bring the country together he has said he wants to bring
Bring Democrats and Republicans together to do some of the pressing business to this country defeat this
Pandemic to get the economy going again to face challenging issues of racial and social justice
I hope we will learn from what happened today the mob attack
Capital the price we pay when we don't stand up for the truth and for tomorrow
James McHenry Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention wrote about a famous
Exchange in his Diaries between Elizabeth willing Powell and Benjamin Franklin wrote a lie
Lady asked Dr Franklin well doctor what are we got
A republic or a monarchy
A republic replied dr. Franklin
If you can keep it
My colleagues this is a test of whether we United to keep our Republic
I hope we will pass the test together thank you later
Try to not yield up to 5 minutes to the senator from South Carolina Senator Graham senator from South Carolina
Many times of my state has been the problem
I love it I swear I want to die but no time soon
Tim and I have a good relationship
I love Tim Scott 1876 South Carolina Louisiana and
Florida sent to slate of electors they had two governments by the way
And we didn't know what to do
Why did South Carolina Florida
In Louisiana do it
The hold
The country hostage
The end reconstruction
It worked
The commission was 827
It didn't work nobody accepted it the way it ended is when he's dead
Deal with these three states you give me the electors I'll kick the Union Army out
The rest is history it led to Jim Crow you're looking for historical guidance
Mrs. The one to pick if you're looking for a way to
Convince people there was no fraud
Having a commission chosen by Nancy Pelosi Mitch McConnell and John Roberts
Is not going to get you to where you want to go
It ain't going to work
So it's not going to do any good
It's going to delay and it gives credibility to a dark chapter 4 history
That's why I'm not with you
But I will fight to my death for you able to judge or not do anything wrong other people of objective thinking
Is uniquely bad idea to delay this election
Trump we had a hell of a journey
I hate it then this way
Oh my God I hate it
My point of view is been a consequential president
But today
First thing you'll see
All I can say is count me out enough is enough
I tried to be helpful
But when does Wisconsin Supreme Court rule 423 that they didn't violate the Supreme
Constitution of Wisconsin I agree with a 3 but accept the 4th if algora could accept 5-4
Or he's not president I can accept Wisconsin 423
Pennsylvania the second circuit so much for all the judges being in Trump's pocket
They said no you're wrong I accept the Pennsylvania second circuit the Trump's lawsuit wasn't wasn't right
Georgia they said the structure of tank took the Lord his own hands he changed the election laws unlawfully
Federal judge said no I accept the federal judge even though I don't agree with it
Fraud
They said they're 66.000 people in Georgia under 18 voted funny people believe that
Give me 10
And I had one
They said 8000 felons in prison in Arizona voting give me 10 had gotten one
Let's say there's there's problems in every election
I don't buy this enough's enough
We got to end it
Vice president Pence
What they're asking you to do you want to because you can't
Talk about interesting times I associate myself with Rentall how many times will you hear that
The mob is done something nobody else could do to get me and ran their Dre
Randy's right
If you're a conservative this is the most defensive Concept in the world that is single person could disenfranchise
155 million people
The president said it she'll in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives open all certificates in the
The boat Sheldon be counted the person having the greatest number of votes for president Shelby present where in there
Does it say Mike and say I don't like the results
I want to send them back to the States I believe there was fraud to the conservatives who believe in the Constitution now
Chance to stand up and be counted
Originalism Count Me In
It means what it says
So my
Miss vice president
Just hang in there
I think they said we can't count on Mike all of us can count on the vice president you're going to do the right thing
The Constitutional thing you got a son who plays f-35s you got a son-in-law flies upteenth F18
Starter flying so that we get it right here
Are people dying
To my good friend from Illinois to make sure we have a chance to argue among ourselves and when it's over it is over
It is over
The final thing Jovi now travel the world with Joe I hope he lost I prayed he would lose he won
He's a legitimate president of the United States
I cannot convince people
Certain groups
By my words but I will tell you by my actions
That maybe I among any above all others in this body need to say this
Joe Biden
And Kamala Harris are lawfully elected
And will become the president and the vice president United States
On January 20th
Majority Leader he'll back the balance of our time
All-time is expired
The question is shell the objections submitted
But the gentleman from Arizona
Mr gozar and the senator from Texas mr. Cruz and others
Be sustained
Is there a second
There is clerk will call the roll this Baldwin
Christopher raso
Mr. Bennet mrs. Blackburn
Mr. Blumenthal
Mister blunt
Bozeman
Mister Braun
Mr. Brown
Disturber
Miss Cantwell this is capital
Mr. Cardin
Harper
Sister Casey
Mr. Cassidy
Liz Collins
Mr. Coons
Mr. cornyn
Ms Cortez masto
Mister cotton
Mr. Kramer
Mr. crapo
Mr. Cruz
Mr. James
Miss Duckworth
Mr. Durbin
Lizards
Mrs. Feinstein
Mrs. Fisher
Mrs gillibrand
Instagram
Mr. Grassley
Mr. Haggerty
Miss Harris
Wisconsin
But you're holy
Mr Heinrich
Mr. Hickenlooper
Miss hirono
No
Mr. Hoven
This is height Smith
Mr. inhofe
Richard Johnson
Mister Kane
Mr Kelly
Mr. Kennedy
The king
Ms Klobuchar
Mr Lankford
Truly he
This early
Mrs. Loeffler
Wuhan
Miss lummis
Supermansion
Mr. Marky
Mr. Marshall
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Menendez
Mr. Merkley
Moran
Liz Borkowski
Mr. Murphy
This is Marie
Interpol
No
Mister Peters
Mr. Portman
Mister Reed
Mr. risch
Mr. Romney
Miss Rosen
It surrounds
It's Rubio
Mr Sanders
Sister SAS
Mr. Schatz
Mr. Schumer
Mr. Scott of Florida
Mr Scott of South Carolina
Mrs. Shaheen
Mister Shelby
The cinema
Miss Smith
Mr Avenue
Mr Sullivan
Mister tester
Mr foong
Mr. Tillis
Mr tumee
The tuberville
Mr Van Hollen
Listen Warner
Miss Warren
Mr. Whitehouse
The Wicker
Widen
History Young
On this vote the yeas R6 the Nazar
93 the objection is not sustained secretary will notify the house of the app
Action of the Senate informing that body that the Senate is now ready to proceed to Joint session with
Further counting of the electoral vote for president and vice-president majority leader
So College here's where we are we have a few more speakers
No as we wait for the house to finish their debate and vote
Expect the house to finish voting on Arizona between 11:30 and midnight
Alaskan items consent the Senate being a period of mourning business with the following senators from it as a speaker
Five minutes each Senator Toomey Senator Rubio senator Collins
And on our side Senators Wyden porono and cools
Finally Falling the remarks the Senate stand in recess something to the call that you are
We'll figure it out
Saturday and appear that morning business with the following Senators permitted to speak there in probably 5 minutes please
Show me Rubio Collins
That objection
How many will
So weird
Well
Is President the senator from Pennsylvania
Sylvania the Senate will be in order
Senate will be in order
Soon it will be in order
Please take your conversations out of the chamber
Center from Pennsylvania appreciate the Indulgence of my colleagues allowing me
Speak twice today but my understanding is that later this evening
Metros will object to the certification of Pennsylvania's electoral votes because they disapprove of the process
Just that my state used in the last election will the Sinners spend from
Minute please take your conversations out of the chamber the senator deserve
To be hard
Centers recognize president's so in light of my expectation of this
Objection I'm arise to defend the right of my citizens my constituents
To vote in the presidential election and let's be clear that's exactly what this objection is about it's what it
It would do it would overturn the results of the presidential election in Pennsylvania
Would thereby deny Pennsylvania's voters the opportunity to even participate in the presidential
Present even if Congress did have the Constitutional responsibility to judge the worth
Worthiness of estate selection process which it does not rejecting Pennsylvania select
Call votes would still be wildly out of proportion to the purported offenses and very damaging
To our Republic Pennsylvania first some of the objectors and in fact even
In the president of the United States this morning have observed that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court disregarded existing law
When it ruled that mail-in ballots could be counted even if they arrived up to 3 days after the
Election day now the objectors are right about that am I view the Supreme Court of the United
State Should overturn that illegal decision famous president only 10097 ballots arrived
In Pennsylvania during the three days after the election and those 10097 ballots have been X
Looted from the vote count that resulted in president-elect Biden winning pencil
Sylvania by about 80.000 boats what greater remedy could the objectors possibly want
Then the complete exclusion of the late arriving balance how could we possibly invalidate the ins
Hire Pennsylvania election over 10.000 votes they were not even included in the vote count
A second charge we heard and the senator from Missouri alluded to alluded to at this evening
Is a 2019 Pennsylvania law that allows mail-in ballots for any reason that that my
Violate the Pennsylvania Constitution well first of all is Senator Casey observe this was a
Bipartisan law passed with nearly unanimous Republicans support clearly the state legislators and the governor
Believe it is consistent with the Pennsylvania Constitution secondly this law was not challenged when it was
Passed it wasn't challenge when it was applied during the June primary election
Is only challenged after President Trump lost the general election but 2.6 million
Pennsylvania's voted by mail in ballot in the general election over 37% of pain
Pennsylvania voters in good faith relied on a law to cast their votes as they had done previously
9-10 you can make a theoretical argument about whether this is consistent with Pennsylvania's Constitution
And that needs to be resolved for future elections but because of this constitution
No question that some people have the objectors want to prevent Pennsylvania voters from participating in
In the presidential election entirely that would be an outrageous remedy to this purported
A third charge referred as a Pennsylvania officials did not properly implement
Any election law in a variety of other ways but the Trump campaign has shown that many of
These issues have none of these issues would have changed the election outcome but more importantly the campaign hat
Many opportunities of which it availed itself to litigate these issues they did time and again and they
Lost repeatedly often and unanimous bipartisan decisions about some of the object
There's also site congress's on failure to investigate allegations of election irregularities
And that's their justification for refusing to certify the election results
Allegations of election irregularities and fraud have been investigated they've been adjudicated they were adjudicated in the state
Layton which neurological Packer down Pennsylvania the Trump campaign took their case of election irregularities in
Courtroom of Judge matthew brann of federal district court judge brand the conservative
Republican Federalist Society member and here's what he said about Trump campaign case and I quote this core
Has been presented with strange legal arguments without Merit and speculative accusations on supported by evidence
The United States of America this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter let alone
All the voters of the six most populated state
And quote to the campaign then appeal judge Brands decision to the third circuit and they drew a
Free judge panel all republican-appointed judges one appointed by President Trump
The panel concurred with judge bran president certainly there were irregularities in the selection
There always are but there's no evidence of significant fraud conspiracies or even Cigna
Never can anomalies the cast any serious doubt on who actually won the election and you know one of the ways you can tell is looking
The big picture in Pennsylvania look at what happened in 2016 President Trump won Pennsylvania
By 8/10 of 1% in 2020 he lost Pennsylvania by a little over
1% is there anything at all that implausible or surprising about a 2%
Change in the election outcome relative to 2016 in Pennsylvania
The president lost a little ground in most of the rural counties he'd carry lost a lot of ground in the big Suburban counties in
Narrowed his large loss in Philadelphia There's no surprises here this reflects a pattern
Record all across the country my colleagues as I've said it is not our response
Ability to sit in Judgment of state election procedures in the first place but if it were
They were not being nearly sufficient reason to deny my constituents their right to participate in this
Presidential election as President Joe Biden won the election that's not what I had hoped for but that's what happened
It was an honest Victory with the usual minor irregularities that occur in most elections
We witnessed today the damage that can result when men in power and response
Possibility refuse to acknowledge the truth we saw Bloodshed because of Emma
God chose to spread falsehoods and so distrust of his own fellow Americans
Let's not abet such deception let's reject this motion
It's president with just a few minutes to speak I'm going to get right to the point
Gunfire in the Halls here IEDs on the Capital Grille
I will say to my colleagues I've been stuck with the domestic cat
Terrorist roaming the Halls just a few hours ago I've been
Done with this debate is actually going forward and that's because
Colleagues this is a fake debate on electoral
Call certification that's because it lends credibility to the
Idea that the Congress can actually pass out the results
The election and as we saw today it serves to fuel
Insurrection now contrary to what some of
Called my voting colleagues Believe by votes cast
A few minutes ago this debate has never been about
About setting up some kind of routine election tribunal this isn't about
About election security if the Republican majority for the
The last two years had actually been interested in election security they were
Would not have worked relentlessly to block my legislation Tusa
Secure our 2020 elections with hand marked
Paper ballots and post-election security audit by the
Those are the kinds of approaches that are part of the Oregon system
We're for 25 years we voted by mail I'm the nation's first male in United
State senator II and I seen my colleague from Maine and Alaska here because
They're very fond of him like I was Gordon Smith a republican was the second
Male in United States senator in our country because we do
The job right it's sufficient are late Republican Secretary of State
Dennis Richardson actually told President Trump there was no evidence
A fraud so if Republicans have been interested over the last
2 years and actually working with me and colleagues on both sides of the aisle and secretaries of state and could have had
An approach that would have empowered the hora
Reagan idea to go National instead we're now
Debating tonight idea
A discussion grounded in total fiction brewed and call
Children's of conspiracies online these colleagues are fever dream
Fever dreams laundered by people with election certificates and real power
And I will tell you it's been painful to watch colleagues Sidle up to some of those conspiracies that would inflict
So much damage to the American experiment colleagues I'm going to close with one last point
We saw today on effort by domestic terrorists
To try to punch our democracy to the ground to the Rope
And I'm going to close by simply saying something that hadn't been said tonight
And that is Donald Trump can do enormous damage to Our Kind
Country in the next 2 weeks in the next 2 weeks call
Donald Trump can do enormous damage to our wonderful country
This afternoon I don't know if my colleagues thought the National Association of
Another organization with Solutions of businesses thousands of companies
And not exactly a left-wing outfit they called
Moving forward with the 25th Amendment all over
Were the news already colleagues this afternoon and National Association of Manufacturers
What we're seeing in our country with respect to the fear of America
Contending watched what happened here so I'm just going to close by way of thing
I believe that for the next two weeks we have an enormous response
Sensibility to Watchdog Donald Trump day in and day out
To do everything possible to prevent the kind of abuses that we saw
Today we're an American lost her life
We saw the fear among our citizens
Let's do everything we can as Leaders Democrats and
Republicans to make sure in the next 2 weeks Donald Trump
Abusus are checked we do everything we can to protect
It's wonderful nation of our president I yield the floor
The senator from Florida is recognized
Was President over the last weeks and days leading up to this vote here today I've heard from a lot of people
About this potent I guess I want to dress as much of them as anybody else
People that I know he's our friends he's our Neighbours he's a longtime supporters generally people on my side of the political aisle
And they're upset they're upset they they look at the media and the media censorship
Stories that might have been negative towards Joe Biden or word negative towards Joe Biden the social media companies help them out
Any saw some states tinkered with and even mutilated state election laws and and and they have doubts that the election was
Legitimate and against this country this extraordinary crisis of confidence which is very dangerous because
Democracy is very fragile and it's not held together by elections democracies held together by people confidence in the election
And the willingness to abide by its results until the notion was we need to do something
We need to fight and several of my colleagues have adopted the idea and I respect it
They're going up Jack now listen it's important to stand something even the people objecting in the Senate recognized that's not going to pay
Not going to change the outcome but it's going to send a message and it's going to make a point
The problem is I think it's a terrible idea
At this moment just hours ago young lady died
Indus capital
That means somebody somewhere in this country got a phone call that their daughter was dead. It was going to political rally she is
His dad died in this Capital somewhere not far from where we are standing
We had police officers the men and women that we walk by every single day the guard the doors and we say hello to out there was
Riot gear getting spit on and attacked today not 10 weeks ago just a few hours ago
And I think it's important to think about all those things on a night like tonight and everything
You know I wouldn't even be here today I doubt very much where I would even have been interested in politics
For my grandfather he died when I was 14 but I grew up at his knee he was sit on the porch with some
Smoke-free cigars a day and he loved history he was born in 1899 and Rural Cuba it was still governor
United States of the protector three years later gained its independence and became a republic
Remind grandfather's first 660 years of life he's caught he saw his country have an armed answer
Direction after a contested election to military coup
Who's in the rise of a Marxist dictator
Attorney that stands to the state my entire life my entire life I have lived with
Next to people who came to America because their country was chaotic
And the country was unsafe
What I saw today what we have seen looks more like those countries
Any extraordinary nation that I am privileged to call home
And I think about the mockery that it makes of our country why do people China China
Let me just say something in all modesty no one here has worked hard on the issue trying to they hate my guts I'm sanction
Pricing China what their sanction E-Dubble sanction and I can't travel there I wasn't planning to anyway
China's laughing loving this tonight and Beijing they're high-fiving because they
This is proof the future belongs to China America's indecline Vladimir Putin
There's nothing but Amir Putin could have come up with better than what happened here makes us look
Total chaos and collapse was probably bragging if he has Buddies
His buddies look what's happening to the great Satan has made us crazy
Everybody in this country has lost their minds on politics and we have
Forgotten that America is not a government
America's not a president
America's got a congress
Let me tell you what America is America's your family
America's your faith America's your community that's America that's what I
Remember that is how we're going to rebuild this country and turn the page and have a future even brighter than our past
And so that's why I feel so strongly about this and why I hope those who disagree with me while I'm
I understand are you on the floor
The senator from Hawaii is recognized
Mr. president it has been hard at times to find the words to describe the foot
Full harm Donald Trump has inflicted on our country we can spend
Hours dissecting of his policies have made us less safe less healthy
But his presidency has also been a profound moral failure
Let me tell you a story a few years ago a father from Hawaii join me at one of my talk
Story sessions in my office and he asked me a question that struck me hard
At that time and has stuck with me until today he said how can
Can I tell my son that lying is not okay when the president of the United States lie
Every single day
I struggle to answer his question then and I'm not sure I could offer an adequate answer
But this conversation remains a clear example of how we
I do not live in normal times how is it normal as we and the world watch
Watched in horror as an angry mob stormed the United States capitol
Blood was shed people were hurt vandalism occurred
It is not normal when we have a President Who Lies every single day even in the face
Of this vandalism this mob he really doesn't have much to say
Except I love you you should go home now it's not normal when in the middle of a pan
Endemic that is claimed the lives of over 350.000 Americans which is nearly the
Combined population of the islands of Maui and the Big Island we have a prayer
President who only seems to care about spreading conspiracies to undermine confidence in our
Actions and our democracy and it's not normal when newly elected senators
I took an oath to uphold the Constitution pull a stunt to try and nullify
Millions of votes in Six States so that Donald Trump can remain president
I called listen for the stunt because it is doomed to fail we have a strong bipartisan
Majority as noted in the vote that we just took and both chambers of Congress who reject this
Stunt and courts have ruled against Trump and his allies and more than 60 cases
So whenever this farce ends the result will be the same.
Trump will have lost the election and Joe Biden will become the 46th president of the United States
You can tell a lot about a person from the way they handle defeat the way Donald Trump
Has handled defeats has a lot about who he is watching so many of our colleagues
Indulge the president tells us a lot about them to we don't have to look back
Very far in history to find examples of candidates who lost tough races but demonstrated
Their character and defeat our colleagues Senator Romney graciously conceded
What is defeat to President Obama and noting that a quote at a time like this we can't risk
Partisan bickering and political posturing our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the p
People's work and we citizens also have to rise to the occasion and into
2000 during an election with substantial irregularities and partisan Innovation from the soup
Supreme Court Al Gore never put his country first and he said let there be no doubt
The well I strongly disagree with the Court's decision I accept it and tonight for the sake of
Of our Unity as a people and the strength of our democracy I offer my concession
As I reflect on the service of these distinguished public servants and the acts they took to maintain our
I'm also drawn to remarks President Obama made four years ago in his farewell address to the
Ovation when he warned that our democracy is threatened whenever we take
Take it for granted it is a particularly Sage warning as we contend with the president of the United States
Seeking to nullify a free and fair elections simply because he lost
We have to stand up speak up and fight back because our democracy itself is at stake
American democracy has endured over the centuries in large part because our institutions serve
Asgard Wales to keep us from going over the cliff
As elected officials we can strengthen these guardrails by listening to our own conscience and moment
Sense of peril by having what our friend John Lewis called an
Executive session with myself before making a big decision John was say
Self this is what you must do this is where you must go today
We can follow John's example listen to our conscious stand up for our
Intuition and do what's right are you on the floor
The senator for mange recognized
Thank you mr. president mr. president let me begin my remarks tonight
By expressing my heartfelt gratitude to the members
Law enforcement community and the National Guard who's
Hard work and courage made it possible for us to resume our
Our deliberations tonight we return to this chamber tonight
Undeterred by the violence we witness and strengthened to NRG
Determination to fulfill our constitutional Duty
Mr. president the Constitution is the foundation of America
Democracy and the Constitution is what must guide
Our decisions on the presidential election the process that
Constitution sets forth for electing president through the Electoral College
Straightforward the people vote electors are chosen
The electors vote then Congress counts the electoral votes
Dad's final step in the process is why we have convened
Today counting the votes of the electors a function that the 12th
Assigns to Congress is an administrative and
Largely ceremonial act our job is simply
Ounce of boats certified by each day nothing more
We should not attempt to usurp the roles of the boat
Voters the states or the Electoral College
The American people have done their job turning out in record numbers to vote
In the midst of a frightening pandemic indie-dance the percentage of the vote
Voting eligible population the turnout was the highest in 120
90 years similarly in the midst of this pandemic
Election officials and volunteers have done their job staff
Nothing polling places and Faithfully counting and often recounting phone
The states have done their job by certify
Find the election results now mr. president I've heard the
The proponents of these objections raised questions about whether the various
They conducted their elections properly when disputes over election
Sarai's candidates are able to appeal to our legal system
Nod Congress for recourse in the two months since the 2020
Election the presidents lawyers and allies have had the opportunity to make
Take their arguments and challenge election results before the court
Notably everyone of nearly 60 lawsuit
Bet they brought forward have been rejected in fact
The Supreme Court has twice refused to hear their election chal
Mr. President we must abide by
Bistro lights the time has now come for come
Congress to do its job we should have firm the certified resume
Results of each state by counting the votes of their electoral
Mr. president altering the results of the Electoral
College would set a terrible precedent in which the party
In control of Congress could override the will of the boat
Odors and overrule our courts to unilaterally
Choose the next president one Senator tempted such a maneuver
After the election in 2004 and the Senate overwhelmingly
Rejected that effort the Senate has demonstrated by his phone
Go tonight that it will follow that precedent and do so again
Today tonight mr. president I will continue
Vote to reaffirm the foundation of our democracy
The Constitution of the United States and I will reach
Jack these challenges to the Electoral College thank you
Mr. president mr. president the center
Morgan's recognized
Mr. president I invite all of my colleagues to Cast Your Eyes Upon
These three boxes sitting on the table in front of the Dyess
These three boxes contain the certified results from every
Stating our Union regarding how that stay folded how they're elect
Have voted for the president of the United States of America you know your cast your eyes on these
These three boxes
And you know that there's something special you see that there are straps on them hold
Calling the top on and straps around the side and they're engraved beautiful handle beautiful
Leatherwork crafted in the cabinet shop of our very Senate
State of the world that their cargo is precious
Now there's three of these boxes
The third box is brand new
It was crafted because so many states were celebrating
This process that they started use very large forms very large envelopes very large seals
To put those ballots
Into
And us a third box was needed
These boxes contain the voice of the American people Wayne in as they have
Election after election after election day been used these these two smaller boxes in the last 14
Elections they carry voysey are transported through those doors to the House of Representatives
It's where the Senate and House together to witness the opening of the envelopes to determine
Who will be the president of the United States it is our constitutional responsibility to witness
The counting that is what the Constitution calls for
Tonight when this Senate chamber was under attack by domestic Terror
We were held here in this room doors locked
To protect us with the help of the Capitol Police
They didn't excellent job and then they escorted us to a safe room and that announcement came quickly and when that announcement
Became our senior assistant parliamentarian Lee Hildebrand organized
The team to rescue these boxes and keep them safe now thank you
To her and the entire team that rescued the voice of the American people
Had they not done so then the Hooligans outside disrespecting
The Constitution would have come in here and open these boxes and burned the ballots
Destroying the voice of the people symbolically and I know no one in this chamber
Wanted something like that to happen
Because we're here to defend the Constitution to defend the Integrity of election process
Not to allow it to be destroyed
McCullough's
Although we are 100 senators are 99 actually now to Holy 99 of us who are duly
Elected at the moment
99 Senators United across party defending
These ballots from The Hooligans outside there's more than one way these ballots can be destroyed
And that is for this chamber and the house chamber to vote
That one of those envelopes representing estate
Will be shredded will be burned that those votes will be discounted we just
Held a vote on whether or not the envelope containing the electoral votes from
Arizona should be burned we defended these ballots
Against The Hooligans outside
But there are those in this chamber supporting the destruction of the voice of the citizens of Arizona
6 voted and we are coming back later tonight to vote on whether to shred or burn the ballet
For the people of Pennsylvania
So we have to stand together to say absolutely not the constitutional
Responsibility is forced to defend the process not to proceed
To destroy these balance
Now in spite of all the troubling things that have happened in this chamber this evening Something Beautiful happened
And that is we sit here in this chamber all of us listening to each other 5-minute speeches
Hearing each other out diverse views wrestling with a complicated issue
It's really the first time that's happened in the 12 years I've served in the Senate we need to restore
The process of struggling with America's issues together on the floor of the Senate that's the Senate I saw one
I first came here as an intern for my home state senator in 1976
Said it that I saw what I work for congress in the 1980s that's the Senate that has
Appeared
There is a conversation going forward between Democrats and Republicans to restore the ability to hold them
Bait on the floor to restore the ability to have amendments on the floor so that we do live
And Russell with in a very public and transparent fashion the big issues
So let's take this moment when we're rethinking how to restore the institutions of
Our government
To restore and improve how this Senate operates the deal with the issues ahead of us so
This moment is a moment where we come together rather than be divided
Where to buy partisan Fashion Week craft a strategy to restore issues to the floor
Bills and amendments and debate and decisions before the public
So
Out of a dark moment
Can shine a bright light a renewal
That is a moment much-needed now
A moment much-needed in the executive branch as we on the 20th of January
Welcome new leadership and it's a moment much-needed for us to restore the Senate to being the
Liberty body once renowned and respected around the world
Let's defend these ballot boxes both from The Hooligans outside and those who would vote to decide
Destroy the ballots From Any Given state
And let us come together and restore the Senate and fight for the vision
Are we the people Republic
I yield the floor to the center from Delaware's recognized
Thank you mr. president president Jeffrey or Fair elections are they life
Pride of our democracy
Chargers unfairness are serious I think we'll all agree but calling election on Fair
Does not make it so
Charges requiring specific allegations and then they require proof
We have neither here
Those are not my words
Those are the words of a judge on the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the third circuit
Rejecting President Trump's legal challenges to the Pennsylvania
Election might add a judge who was a longtime member of the conservative Federalist Society
And was nominated the bench by none other than Donald Trump
President the 2020 presidential election with hard-fought will all agree
But you Macan people spoke clearly and they spoke decisively
81.2 million voters voted for Joe Biden 81.2
74.2 million voted for Donald Trump
51.3% of the vote went for Joe Biden 46.8%
The vote was for Donald Trump
306 Electoral College votes for Joe Biden
232 Electoral College votes for Donald Trump
Destroyers are other Donald Trump refer to that kind of outcome isn't a landslide for him
And he lost the popular vote
By 3 million votes
Accepting the outcome of election can be difficult when our political party doesn't win
We've all felt that before the calling and election unfair does not
Make it so
More than 60 federal and state courts involving more than 90 judges many of whom were nominated by
By Republican presidents including Donald Trump
Are all in agreement
That's pretty amazing isn't it
All in agreement
No evidence of widespread fraud wrongdoing or other irregularities have been uncovered during the twenty twenty
20 election
That's a
That is a victory for democracy for our democracy
Unfortunately some of our colleagues today asked us to do the same thing the Donald Trump ask her II
State for the state of Georgia to overturn the results of the 2020 election
Without specific allegations and more importantly without any proof
Our colleagues are asking us not to abide by the will of the people but to the bend to the will of one man
One man
Donald Trump
In 1787 delegates from the 13 colonies convenient Philadelphia to debate that
The future of what would become the United States of America
Our Founders disagreed on a lot of things
But they all agreed on one thing for sure
They do not want a king
They did not want a monarch many of them had been there done that they didn't want to see it and feel it
Again
And they set up his intricate system of checks and balances to ensure that we would never have
That all all-powerful King in this country
That's extra checks and balances being pushed or dangerous limit here today but that's just it
Will prevail
Along with it our democracy
Are just some of the claims of Donald Trump in his legal team have made and that are crawl our colleagues
Lend Credence to hear today
That Ben has been Venezuela Cuba and trying to rig our countries vote
Machines in favor of Joe Biden
That dead people voted in this election and they only voted for
Joe Biden
That poll Watchers and election observers who risked their lives
During this pandemic to uphold the Integrity of our elections
That stuffed ballot boxes with buying votes and then they shredded Trump votes
Not one
Let me repeat not one of these things is true
There is no evidence no evidence
Backup these ridiculous claims many of these absurd claims from Donald Trump and his legal team
Are nothing more than conspiracy-theory circulating online
This misinformation and dangerous rhetoric from the president and his allies
Recording calls for violence
How polluted our discourse and Imperial
Apparel I pissed peaceful transfer of power
When are college show indifference or outright support for these unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy
Theories Bailey tarnation
And our constitution down a dangerous dangerous path
All of us who serve your sworn oath to support and defend our constitution
I swore that same office and they will find out your many times to me Shipman before that
But always hear sworn
Support and defend our constitution not our political party
And certainly not any individual candidate
College for the safety of our citizens and our Republic we must lead by example we must turn the temperature
Down
It was a hard-fought campaign
The campaign is over
The votes have been counted the count has been certified in all 50 states
And in two weeks on January 20th Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as president
President of the United States as it should be
We have serious and Urgent challenges that will require working together with our new president our new vice president
With one another in this chamber Democrats Republicans Independence and with our colleagues over in the House of Representatives
What's on our to-do list
We can start with making sure that hundreds of millions of Americans get back in it vaccinated
Can we get off a dime
It's not vaccinating
Relaxing 84 million people last month formula
However going to get to 250 million at this rate
What else is on our to-do list getting our kids back to school we got kids that are unable to
Get on the internet unable to participate in the classes and they not have any adult supervision at home there's driving and falling
Even further behind we need to do something to help
What else is on their to-do list
Given their parents getting their parents back to work just to name a few things people watch jobs in
You don't have scales anymore to drive fill the jobs that are needed
They need our help they need to be root tools
Retrain
It's time to stop trying to overturn the will of the people and get back to working on their behalf
Depression Abraham Lincoln has been poured a couple times here tonight
Pray observe that the the end of the Gettysburg Address that ours is a government of the people
By the people
And for the people
Even in the midst of the Civil War President Lincoln put his unpaper away is unpaid unwavering
And the people to try to Nations course
We would be wise to remember Lincoln's words at this moment
At this special moment in our nation's history we're not a government of trump
Buy Trump and for Trump by the people
And for the people
And the people have spoken
The people have spoken
Our job here today is to listen to them
I intend to do that and I trusted my colleagues will join me and doing that as well
President of yoga for president
The president first I want to thank all of the
First Responders who helped protect the sacred chamber today protect those electoral college
Ballots today is a special day on a day when sum
2500 more Americans will lose their lives to the coronavirus one another 130.000
Will be hospitalized with it when hundreds of small businesses will close their doors and put thousands of America
Arkansas to work on this day United States Senate is not debating how to get more life-saving backs
Scenes into Americans arms how to put 2.000 badly-needed dollars into the apocalypse know instead
We are using the first days of the new Senate and Congress to give time to our radical republican colleagues
Faceless and damaging claims of election fraud all in an attempt to keep Donald Trump in
Office in violation of the United States Constitution there's a word for this it's called sedition
All these unfounded objections to State electors are seditious they are nothing short of an insult
Direction against the established order of the United States Constitution and I've Democratic Republic
This is an historically shameful day for the Senate and for our country to be clear the notion
That there are any meaningful voted voter fraud that has been identified in the two
2020 presidential election is a dangerous anti-democratic treasonous fiction
Joe Biden won Donald Trump lost. But that hasn't stopped the president and his
Photos from making allegations of voter fraud in some 60 legal challenges across the country
Play some 90 judges including Trump judicial appointees not one of these challenges succeeded
Not one and despite
This reality my radical republican colleagues claim we must have a commission from the
Castigate the fraud well we do know one of the most undeniable instances of
Substantial and significant election fraud ever we even have a recording in a transcript of it
It's President Trump talking like a Mafia Boss to the Georgia Secretary of State
A republican no less pressuring and threatening him to fix the election in Trump's favor and Hope
Holding out the prospect of criminal prosecution if he doesn't find me 11070
180 votes Trump said well someone should find Donald Trump a real lawyer and measure him for
Orange jumpsuit because the list of statutes that the latest shocking presidential
Phone call May violate it's too long to recite the president's words on that phone call indeed
His conduct since the election demand a serious response one much more serious than the shell
Shanbeh forested a first federal and state law enforcement authorities to investigate Donald
Trump election fraud extortion conspiracy and whatever other charges fit the bill
Warranted indict and try him for any crimes he has committed second we must recognize
Donald Trump is and will remain a danger to our Constitution and our democracy so well-timed
Certainly limited we should impeach Trump again and bar him from holding office in the future and Final
We should have bolish the Electoral College it is a Vestige of a racist Jim Crow America
And we have outgrown it every person's vote in every state should count
Just the same one-person-one-vote election fraud
And we form a very serious issues election reform absolutely should be debated in Congress
Which is why instead of today's Kabuki theater I invite my Republican colleagues to stand up and say yes
We need to protect and expand voting rights and election security we need automatic voter registration
We need online voter registration we need same-day voter registration we should make election day
A Federal holiday we should restore voting rights to people with prior felony convictions we should
Support independent redistricting commission that spend our time on the floor debating that
Debating how to reduce the influence of big money in our political system to slow the revolving door
Between government officials and lobbyists. Gerrymandering and voter suppression that's the real
Election reform that we should be debating and supporting not these shameful Craven faceless of
Jackson's more than 350.000 Americans have died from the Coronavirus
That is the truth nearly eight million people have fallen into poverty because of the echo
Turn on my crisis caused by this virus that is the truth wearing a Mass Save
He's wise vaccines are safe and effective that is the truth
Joe Biden won
Donald Trump lost
That is the truth
I orange all my Senate colleagues to vote against these objections affirm our democracy and recognized
How's the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will rightfully be sworn in on January 20th as the president
And vice president of the United States
The senator from Connecticut is recognized as president
Today was a stomach-churning gut-wrenching moment in our history
And truly it was an assault on the heart of our democracy and I want to join in
Thanking the First Responders in please I also want to thank others who have been here
Heroes of our democracy unsung in many instances first all of the election officials
All the poll workers all of the members of boards of election
Actually counted the vote who went to the polls and make sure that
Both could be cast and who ultimately stood firm for the Integrity of that folding
I want to thank the judges there are now about 90 of them who
Except for one or two roll the other way on a technicality have stood firm for
The Integrity of that voting system in those 62
70 cases except for that one world on a technicality they win
With the Integrity of our voting system and the rule of law today was indeed
Disgusting and sickening it was shocking and Despicable
It was heartbreaking but it was not
Surprising in fact today's assault on our democracy.
Mob violence the riots the Thugs and goons who were in
Aspired and incited by the president knighted states all were of a piece
With these past four years of a president who has no respect for the truth
Or the rule of law
Donald Trump's presidency is coming to a close in the very same way it began
With an attack on our democracy in 2016 the Trump campaign welcomed
Hostile foreign interference with our election and the president
Refuse to acknowledge that he would accept the results of the election
If you lost and then again and again and again he demonstrated his
Contempt for the rule of law and four laws
Themselves if structure Joseph and he would have been charged with it had he not been
In the present United States he invited a foreign government
To interfere in our elections and find dirt on his
Vertical planter
And most disturbing
These action by a President
Who demonstrated that contempt for the rule of law were met with Silence from
Many political leaders are colleagues here in the Senate among them silence
In the face of that contempt for the rule of law and disrespect for the law
All enforcers so we could have seen today coming in fact
Like we did I warned about it others did because the fantasies and fall
False Choice Grove those rioters not protesters
The mob who assaulted the Temple of democracy
We're fueled by the president's statements and
Lies and contempt for the truth and he was enabled
He had a Naples
So today we are
Stopping
In one instance that enabling
But we must also make sure to stop it going forward
And the political stunt that brought us here today offers no great Solace that it will
Distance have consequences we say words have consequences
And the actions today will have significant consequences
They are an attack on our democracy that undermines the core tenets of our American
And a disrespect for the will of the people and a piece
Peaceful transition of power and the political stunts themselves Grooming by Opera
Humanism blaze a path that can be followed by more competent
Challenges just as the dictatorial instincts and
And actions of this President and be followed by more
Effective would-be tyrants intent on destroying our Republic
Yes we have more important tasks that we should be addressing
As well the pandemic the economic Revival but today
We must be mindful of the threat to our democracy that we face down and we come together
Bipartisan basis
But silence is never excusable in the face of lawlessness
At the very top of our political structure thank you Miss present are you before
President the senator from Delaware's recognize question for all of my colleagues this evening
Which is what happened here today and how is it different from what we expected
As we assembled in this chamber early this afternoon
Much sadly much like the impeachment trial if just a year ago I think as many of us
Waterway to the nation's capital and dutifully filed into this chamber we expected
Hours and hours of debate and discussion
Knowing the outcome knowing that what was being engaged in by a handful of our colleagues
Was a political stunt feeding the ego of our presidents who is chasing conspiracy theory
About how we actually won the election two months ago that he lost and indulging his
Is believed that somehow somehow the Congress could still at the last moment
Snatch Victory from the jaws of defeat even in the last day President Trump had been haranguing
In his own incredibly loyal vice president Mike Pence as if somehow vice president Pence
Would simply declare him president today we knew that President Trump have been stirred
Stirring up the spirits of thousands urging them to come
He might go out and speak to them but I don't think as we filed into this chamber any of us any of
Expected date for the second time in our Republic history
The perimeter of the capital would be breached members of the Senate would be rushed to safety
But not just the Capitol Police but US Marshals and FBI officers and fully combat
Geared soldiers would be in the United States Capitol taking it back
Dogs just a few moments ago I went to the Rotunda
To see the litter in the trash the residue in the remnants of those who took over this building today
And to say thank you to the men and women of law enforcement who helped secure it
After it fell to an angry mob we have to think about the consequences
What happened here today why this happened and what it means and what it teaches
Because frankly tonight now the whole world is watching the entire world is watching
A montage of scenes of folks cavorting in the capital half-naked
Been taking backseat scrolling things on different surfaces parading up and down the capital
Quarters with a Confederate flag with a trump flag and an other way signaling that they had done some
Something significant
No in fact but they've actually done is weakened our democracy showed some of its fragility
And encourage our opponents around the world
In the last two months since the election we have one man who has abandoned his post
Who is mostly spent his time golfing and tweeting and indulging himself in conspiracy theories
And been less and less attuned to our national security and for Raging pandemic and another man are present in
Who is preparing to take over the responsibility for leading this country out of this pandemic
An out of its current state of deep deep division President Trump has abandoned his
He does not deserve to be president any longer and he poses a real and present
Threat to the future of our democracy but let me also say this
To my colleagues have changed their intended vote today after
Seeing what happened in the capital there were as we began roughly 13
Senators Republicans who said they were going to vote against the certification of the election
And when we actually finally called the role that was just six seven of them having been chastened by the events of today
But to who continue on this quest clerked for the Supreme Court chief justice
Are deeply schooled in the law no better than what they did today and in the count
In the debate going on over the house even now more than a hundred House Republicans continue with this
On this floor earlier today this evening there was strong and clear and Grave speeches by Republica
Can the Democrats so I have a question as we move forward when will this fever
Break when will we finally say to each other enough is enough of indulging in following
Populism and demagoguery is it time to finally show who the leaders are
And to uphold our Constitution that every one of the house members and 1/3 of us
Swore to uphold just three days ago I will tell you as I look ahead that I am
I'm confident the two weeks from now Joseph I'd will be sworn in as the next president
Kamala Harris sworn in as the next vice president and we have a unique moment in my lifetime
Because as presidents and leaders in the Senate of both parties over the last decades have
Observed the Senate has steadily shrunk and its significance its role and its power
The presidency has steadily grown not in my lifetime not since LBJ have we
We had an incoming president who spent 36 years in this chamber
We have a chance with Joe Biden a president-elect who ran on bringing our country together Empresa
Who ran on turning the page from our moment of national division president-elect to respect and honor
Understands the significance of this body so we have to take this opportunity
To heal to hear each other to compromise to work together and to see
See the real challenges facing the American people and take this last best moment
What happened here today should leave all of us Gravely concerned about the health and
The future of our democracy and the opportunity we will have two weeks from today is one we should
Not let pass Us by thank you Miss president without a you look for
Mr. president the senator from Massachusetts is recognized
Mister president more than 350.000 of our loved ones have died from a terrible disease
Small businesses have gone under never to reopen Millions lost their jobs and Tony Pham
Don't know how they're going to pay the rent or put groceries on the table it is tough out there
But Americans are Fighters and despite all the challenges in November they did
What Americans do when they are unhappy with their leadership they voted or changed they
Turn their backs on a sitting president who fans the Flames of hatred wild bodies pie
Pile-up in the morgue instead they elected a new president who wants to save lives to say
Save our economy and to save our democracy even as the pandemic real
Americans showed up for democracy States worked overtime to set up
Safe Systems ballot drop boxes in early voting gallons of hand sanitizer
Voters mailed their ballots earlier put on masks and stood in line at the polls the
Action of 20/20 shattered voting records so here we are
On the floor of the United States Senate in the aftermath of an historic election held
In the middle of a pandemic people are suffering and we should be working to get them
The help they need instead we are here because Donald Trump wants 200
Overturn the results of that election the Republicans objecting to the results of this
Action will be judged by history but the rest of us will be judged as well
It is our responsibility to stand up for our democracy even while other senator
Work to undermine losing fought primary but Joe Biden
One and I lost I am not the only one to live through that a numbers
Senators in this room have run for president none of us was successful
And when we lost we conceded and we got out of the race because
That is how democracy Works lied about the results
We didn't throw temper tantrums we didn't tell our allies in Congress or the states to over
Overturn the result we didn't see poisonous propaganda to our supporters we didn't
Urge people to march on state capitals or to descend on Washington
Accepted the will of the voters and it's not just us
Everyone who has run for president since the beginning of America
Only once once in America's history have the people who lost tried to burn down
Our democracy on the way out they cause a civil war that nearly just
Droid our nation make no mistake the violence we witnessed in this chat
Chamber today with the direct result of the poisonous lies that Donald
Trump repeated again and again for more than two months his word
Have consequences our democracy has been grievously injured by
Life is lying coward this effort to
Democracy is not merely one last presidential tantrum this
Effort is designed to knock out the basic pillar on Which democracy is found
The idea that the voters not the sitting president and not the
Members of Congress but the voters decide who will lead this nation
A democracy in which the elected leaders do not Bend to the will of the boat
Motors is no democracy it is a totalitarian state
And those who pursue this effort are supporting a coup i urge My Collie
Links to vote no on this effort to overthrow our democracy ideals mister
President the center from Alaska's recognized
That the Senate stands in recess subject to the call of the chair