DC Protests: ‘I am appalled at what is occurring in the US Capitol,’ Turner says

Protesters backing President Donald Trump breached barricades Wednesday afternoon as Congress debated Electoral College votes.

After protesters got inside the Senate chamber, and lawmakers inside the House chamber had to put on gas masks as tear gas was fired in the Rotunda, legislators from Ohio and the region are condemning the violence.

U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, issued a public plea for Trump to call for an end to the violence after protesters stormed the capitol, forcing a delay in the affirmation of Joe Biden’s victory.

“I am appalled at what is occurring in the US Capitol right now. President Trump needs to call for an end to this violence and permit Congress to facilitate a peaceful transition of power,” Turner posted on Twitter.

Earlier, Turner’s spokeswoman Morgan Rako said “Congressman Turner is off Capitol campus and is safe,” in a text message.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, posted on his Twitter account a plea to “Stop the violence. Support Capitol Police.”

Later, he issued a statement as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, which stated: “Americans support peaceful protests, First Amendment activity, and the men and women of law enforcement. What happened today is wrong and is not what America is about.”

U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, who said he planned to object to electors from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin thanked Capitol Police in a tweet saying he was safe.

“I want to thank the Capitol Police for its dedicated service and for keeping everyone — from members to staff — safe. I have every confidence that they will be able to handle this situation.”

Sen. Rob Portman, a Cincinnati Republican, also called on Trump to “condemn this unacceptable vandalism and violence.”

“The right to protest peacefully is protected under the Constitution but the actions by violent mobs against our law enforcement and property at the US Capitol building today are not,” he posted on Twitter.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Mansfield, said he and his staff are safe.

“The violence at the Capitol needs to end now,” he posted on Twitter. “The lives of countless workers — journalists, staff and Capitol Police are being put at risk by this attack on our democracy.”

Earlier, Connie Schultz, Brown’s wife, posted a message on social media saying she spoke with her husband.

“They are currently locked in Senate chamber, but safe. I am struggling for the words right now,” she wrote on social media.

U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati, called the riots “completely unacceptable.”

“In America, we have the right to peacefully assemble and protest. But, we do not, under any circumstances, have the right to violently storm government buildings and threaten the safety of our police officers and our fellow citizens. The disturbing violence being reported must stop immediately, and anyone participating in such violent acts must be held accountable,” Chabot said in a released statement. “Respecting those with whom we disagree is not a matter of politics; it’s a fundamental principle upon which this nation was founded. And it is critical that we, as a nation, find a way to put our differences aside, and focus on those basic beliefs that unite us as Americans.”

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Cincinnati, who represents Ohio’s 2nd District, condemned violent acts.

“Any violence or threat of violence is completely unacceptable, he posted on Twitter. “Americans can exercise their First Amendment rights, but must do so peacefully.”

Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ripley, who represents Ohio’s 15th District, said protestors have a right to be heard, but that “there is a difference between protesting and rioting.”

“Destruction and lawlessness are not acceptable,” he tweeted.