The two Utah Congressmen who represent the Wasatch Back in the United States House of Representatives, John Curtis and Blake Moore, both spoke out against the violent insurrection at the Capitol Building in Washington DC on Wednesday.
What is traditionally a largely ceremonial and uneventful procedure in Washington DC on Wednesday descended into chaos as violent pro-Trump extremists breached the Capitol Building and ceased the official counting of electoral college votes in both the House and Senate chambers.
Members of Congress were told to shelter in place and were issued gas masks by Capitol Police after tear gas was released inside the building.
Congressman John Curtis, who represents Utah’s 3rd District which includes Wasatch County, posted a video on his Twitter feed during the lockdown to say he and his staff were safe. He condemned the violence and called for everyone to “dial it down.”
“It’s totally inappropriate what’s happening outside at the Capitol,” he said. “It’s not who we are, we’re better than this. Please, let’s use all out influence to tone this down and get back to reasonable debate.”
Later on Wednesday, Congressman Curtis released an even stronger condemnation of the events, characterizing the violence as “an act of domestic terrorism inspired and encouraged by our President.”
He went on to say: “No American, no elected leader, and certainly no President who participates, inspires, or condones actions such as these has my sympathy or support.”
Newly sworn-in Congressman Blake Moore represents Utah’s 1st District and Summit County. Congressman Moore’s office released a statement Thursday morning characterizing the violence as “an assault on the United States Capitol” and “un-American.”
Congressmen Curtis and Moore are both Republicans, but neither supported the objections by their colleagues -- including those from fellow Utah Congressmen Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens -- to the counting of Electoral College votes.
Moore continued in his statement to accuse Democrats of trying to overthrow the Electoral College, calling it a “long-time goal” of theirs.
Bills have been introduced to Congress three times since 1969 to amend the Constitution and have Presidential Elections decided by the national popular vote instead of the Electoral College, none have succeeded.
He continued, “I could not in principle object or vote to agree to the objection, but I promise that I will fight for every American’s voice to be heard and every voter to have trust in our system.”
After the Capitol Building was cleared of rioters, Congress re-convened early into Thursday morning and officially ratified President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory shortly after 2am Mountain Time.
As of this report, five people have died from Wednesday’s violence in Washington DC, including one US Capitol Police Officer.
