Schakowsky Statement on Attack of U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chairwoman of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the attack on the U.S. Capitol:

"Yesterday, an armed mob, at the behest of President Donald Trump, stormed the Capitol with guns, homemade bombs, and chemical weapons while the entire Congress gathered to certify the election results. This was an act of domestic terrorism and a grave assault on our democracy. We must move quickly to hold this President and his enablers, including those in Congress, accountable for these treasonous acts.

"I will be joining my colleagues, Representatives Ilhan Omar and David Cicilline to introduce Articles of Impeachment against the President for Incitement of Insurrection and Abuse of Power. I am also joining my colleague Representative Cori Bush's resolution calling for the expulsion of those Members of Congress who violated their sacred Oath of Office and supported and encouraged this violent insurrection. I have specifically called on Representative Mary Miller of Illinois to resign following her comments yesterday saying, ‘Hitler was right.' It is this type of rhetoric that fueled yesterday's attack by white supremacists and far-right extremist groups, and it has no place in the United States Congress. I have also called on Vice President Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment to ensure this dangerous and unfit President can do no further damage to our nation. Finally, I fully support the House Committee on Appropriations' investigation, led by Chair DeLauro and Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman Ryan, into the unacceptable security failures at the Capitol. While a breach of our center of government should never have happened in the first place, we must determine what went wrong and ensure that it never happens again. The safety of everyone who work in and visit the Capitol depends on it.

"While yesterday's events were devastating and will stain this country's history forever, I have no doubt that democracy will prevail. This nation has successfully fought back against hatred, authoritarianism, and fascism since its founding. Together, we will show that these dangerous ideals have no place in the United States of America."

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