Texas views of violence.
“It’s a dark day in America — but peace, democracy, and the rule of law will prevail.” Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-san Antonio
“This isn’t a peaceful protest. This is an attack on our democracy … to try to stop certifying elections.” Former Rep. Will Hurd, R-san Antonio
“I will not be deterred from upholding my oath, under God, to the Constitution by mob demand.” Rep. Chip Roy, R-dripping Springs
As violence escalated Wednesday and a mob invaded the U.S. Capitol, with one person shot and killed by law enforcement and others injured, Texans condemned the actions of those involved — as well as those they say incited it.
“Peaceful protest is a core tenet of the United States Constitution; violence and mayhem are not,” Gov. Greg Abbott Abbott said in a statement.
“The violence and mayhem must stop. America is founded on the rule of law, and the law enforcement officers working to restore order at the United States Capitol must be heeded,” the governor added.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was a headliner at a “Save America” rally earlier that morning, similarly called for an end to the chaos.
“I call on protesters in our state and our nation’s Capital to practice their constitutional right in a peacefulmanner,” hewroteonthe office’s official Twitter account. “I stand for election integrity and the democratic process. I will not tolerate violence and civil disorder.”
Later Wednesday, Paxton retweeted an unsubstantiated, anonymously sourced tweet from a “former FBI agent” that claimed at least one busload of the protesters were not Trump supporters but rather members of the leftwing group Antifa in disguise.
Here’s how other Texans reacted:
Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
“If you approve of, applaud, or encourage the grotesque demonstrations of hate and destruction being inflicted upon the Capitol of the United States America, you don’t deserve to carry the flag and call yourself a patriot,” Bonnen said. “It is a saddayinour history.”
Incoming Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan
“The actions today at our U.S. Capitol is not the act of patriots,” he said in a statement. “It’s disgraceful. The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to assemble peacefully. It does not condone violence, destruction of property or trespassing todisrupt proceedings outlined in the Constitution.”
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-san Antonio
After confirming his safety, Castro put the blame on President Donald Trumpand Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who he said should resign immediately from the Senate.
“The president of the United States incited a coup attempt,” Castro wrote on Twitter. “It’s a dark day in America — but peace, democracy, and the rule of law will prevail.”
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-laredo
Cuellar told C-SPAN he thought Trump made a mistake in joining the rally Wednesday morning.
“That sent a very strong message to a lot of the folks here,” Cuellar said. “I don’t know if the president, he was very quick to call the National Guard andhomeland and other folks to certain other places when the left was protesting, but I don’t think he moved as fast on the people that he supports.”
Sen. Ted Cruz
Cruzwasamongthe lawmakers leading an effort to object to the certification of Joe Biden’s Electoral College win.
“Anyone engaged in violence — especially against law enforcement — should be fully prosecuted,” Cruz said. “Those storming the Capitol need to stop NOW. The Constitution protects peaceful protest, but violence — from Left or Right — is ALWAYS wrong.”
Former President George W. Bush
“This is howelection results are disputed in a banana republic — not our democratic republic,” he said in a statement.
“I am appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election, and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions and our law enforcement,” the former president added.
Rep. Michael Mccaul, R-austin
“The violence and destruction we are witnessing in the Capitol is an assault on our democracy,” Mccaul said in a tweet along with a recorded video takenwhile hewas in lockdown in his office, from which he said he’d heard gunshots.
“Let me be clear, anyone who breachedthe Capitol today, or participated in the violence, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo
“Shame on you @tedcruz, @Gopleader, and all who fed the false narrative about our election, which has led to what we are witnessing in our Nation’s Capitol,” he tweeted. “You fanned the flames of mistrust and history will hold youaccountable for the ensuing chaos. Outrageous!”