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North Texas Leaders React To Pro-Trump Extremists Breaching U.S. Capitol

A Capitol police officer confronts pro-Trump extremists.
Manuel Balce Ceneta
/
Associated Press
Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington.

Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. by pro-Trump extremists, North Texas lawmakers and officials are condemning the violence and calling Trump and his allies to concede the election.

Former President George W. Bush said he watched the event's unfold in "disbelief."

"This is how election results are disputed in a banana republic — not our democratic republic. 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."

Democratic Congressman Colin Allred, who represents District 32 in Texas, called the day's events "treasonous" and "seditious" in a statement. He said the storming of the Capitol was a result of the President and his allies refusing to accept the results of the presidential elections.

“What we are seeing today is a culmination of those dangerous actions to subvert our democracy and disregard our rule of law," he said in the statement.

This is not American, this is not who we are. Rioting, violence, and destruction have no place in our society and we must hold those responsible for today’s actions accountable."

Allred urged President Trump and his supporters in Congress to accept the outcome of the presidential election.

“For the safety of all Americans, our democracy, and the future prosperity of our nation, President Trump and his allies in Congress must accept the results of the presidential election and move forward with a peaceful transfer of power.”

Republican Rep. Roger Williams also denounced the violence of the pro-Trump extremists on Twitter, describing the acts as "an extraordinary stain on our democracy."

On Twitter, Rep. Marc Veasey blamed President Trump for the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol. He called for unity, saying it's not the time to "fan the dangerous flames of division."

KERA reached out to the Dallas Police Department for comment.

The DPD said in a statement that it doesn't anticipate protests by pro-Trump extremists in North Texas. However, they're staying prepared as Congress continues to certify the results of the electoral vote:

"We have been in constant communications with our local, state and federal partners as we consider our preparedness on a daily basis. Therefore, we will have plans to have adequate leading up to and the days following the certification process."

Texas had an outsized role in Wednesday’s deadly insurrection at the Capitol.

The State's part in the historic day started with Ken Paxton, Texas' attorney general, speaking at a pro-Trump rally in Washington. He was cheered for his effort last month to overturn Presidential election results in other states.

"Because we’re here today, the message goes on," Paxton said at the event. "We will not quit fighting."

At the time the mob reached the Capitol, lawmakers, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, were debating an objection to Arizona's election results.

Cruz fed the false narrative that there’s a factual dispute over who won the election, objecting to counting votes for President-Elect Joe Biden.

"Let me be clear this objection is for the state of Arizona but it is broader than that," Cruz said during the debate.

It's widely thought Cruz will run for president again in 2024 and that he's trying to appeal to President Trump's supporters.

After the group stormed the capitol, Cruz tweeted that violence is always unacceptable. Yet, he continued to fight critics who accused him of stoking the mob.

Liberal groups have called on both Paxton and Cruz to resign for fueling the violence.

KERA News' Bret Jaspers contributed to this report.

Got a tip? Email Elizabeth Myong at Emyong@KERA.org. You can follow Elizabeth on Twitter @Elizabeth_Myong.

KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gifttoday. Thank you.

Elizabeth Myong is KERA’s Arts Collaborative Reporter. She came to KERA from New York, where she worked as a CNBC fellow covering breaking news and politics. Before that, she freelanced as a features reporter for the Houston Chronicle and a modern arts reporter for Houstonia Magazine.