Republicans widely condemn Capitol mob, Trump over day's events
![Senator Ben Sasse.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pae6gHiLkA2xRNdpNy3QvV-415-80.jpg)
Republican lawmakers reacted to the storming of the Capitol with varying levels of condemnation on Wednesday, illustrating how deeply conflicted the party is over President Trump's ongoing promotion of unfounded election conspiracy theories.
Some, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), offered only the most tepid of statements: "Thank you to the brave law enforcement officials who have put their lives on the line," he said. "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."
But most others, like Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), a Trump supporter, were far more forceful. "The president needs to call it off," he said, adding: "It's over. The election's over. And the objectors need to stop meddling with the primal forces of our democracy here."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), who has expressed concerns about voting problems but had not been posed to object to certifying President-elect Joe Biden's win, also forcefully condemned Trump's response to the crisis. "Unacceptable. Enough. Acknowledge Biden as president-elect and end this madness," Meijer tweeted. "Violent rioters laid siege to the nation's Capitol in an act of insurrection unparalleled in modern times. This is not leadership."
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who was endorsed by Trump in 2019, also didn't mince words. "Today, the United States Capitol — the world's greatest symbol of self-government — was ransacked while the leader of the free world cowered behind his keyboard — tweeting against his vice president for fulfilling the duties of his oath to the Constitution," Sasse slammed, adding: "This is not how we peacefully transfer power."
Former White House communications director Alyssa Farah also spoke out and conservative publications published op-eds condemning the day's events. "Donald Trump unleashed a mob on Capitol Hill," wrote John Podhoretz of Commentary Magazine, adding: "Nancy Pelosi should call an emergency session of the House tonight and impeach the president, and Mitch McConnell should convene the Senate tomorrow and call a vote to remove Trump from the presidency."
The National Review echoed the sentiment. "The nauseating scene in Washington, D.C., is Trump's fault," wrote Michael Brendan Dougherty.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
When families cross the aisle against presidential candidates
In The Spotlight Tim Walz's cousins, Donald Trump's niece and nephew, RFK Jr.'s siblings: When it comes to running for office, blood is not necessarily thicker than water
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Boeing's Starliner to come home empty
Speed Read Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore will return on a SpaceX spacecraft in February
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax charges
Speed Read In an unexpected move, President Joe Biden's son pleads guilty to tax fraud and avoids a trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
North Korea to begin admitting foreign tourists (again)
Under the Radar For the first time in five years, the isolated dictatorship is inviting large groups to visit the city of Samjiyon — and possibly beyond
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine reports large gains in Russia's Kursk region
Speed Read Ukraine pushed further into Russian territory and now commands a striking 390 square miles, embarrassing the Kremlin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The future for Hamas under Yahya Sinwar
The Explainer Choosing hardline 'butcher' as political leader signals Gaza as centre of group's power, but imperils ceasefire negotiations
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Large Sudan displaced people camp 'in famine'
Speed Read Global hunger experts have made an official declaration of famine for more than half a million people in North Darfur
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Fears of all-out war grow after Golan Heights strike
Speed Read Tensions are escalating between Israel and Hezbollah
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
ICJ ruling: will 'damning verdict' stop Netanyahu?
Talking Points The UN's top court has ruled Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories breaks international law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published