West Central Michigan News

The violent scene at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, during the counting of electoral college votes, have many concerned about the current state of affairs and what it means for the future of the country.

Michigan Democrats in particular raised the alarm over the breaching of the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob of protestors, which temporarily delayed the vote, according to Bridge Michigan.

"I've experienced a lot of tear gas," U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) told Bridge Michigan. "But I did not expect as a member of Congress to have people try to violently interrupt the workings of our democracy. It's a super sad day.”

U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer | LinkedIn

Levin was in the Capitol during the forced takeover of the building. He expressed particular concern over President Donald Trump’s messaging surrounding the events, which appeared to encourage rather than dissuade the protesters.

Some from the president’s own party also took issue with the efforts by protestors to disrupt the vote count.

U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Grand Rapids) took to Twitter to condemn the continued opposition to the November election results, demanding that Trump acknowledge former Vice President Joe Biden as the winner of the election.

“Unacceptable. Enough,” Meijer posted to Twitter. “Acknowledge Biden as President-Elect and end this madness. Violent rioters laid siege to the nation’s Capitol in an act of insurrection unparalleled in modern times. This is not leadership.”

The Michigan Freedom Fund, self-described as “committed to the principles of limited government, transparency in government and the freedoms found in the Constitution,” posted a statement to its website calling for Trump and fellow Republicans who have claimed election fraud to speak up about the illegal actions that occurred in Washington, D.C.

“The violent attack on the U.S. Capitol by President Trump’s supporters is heartbreaking and it is criminal,” said Tony Daunt, Freedom Fund executive director, according to the organization's website. “The Michigan Freedom Fund strongly supports the work of law enforcement and the National Guard to reclaim the seat of government from this lawless mob.”