Menendez Statement on Violent, Seditious Storming of the U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) released the following statement reacting to the violent, seditious attack on the U.S. Capitol:

“Today, I shed a tear for our country, which for centuries has inspired the world through its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.  From Moscow to Beijing and beyond, autocrats are likely smiling as they witness America in disarray, at war with itself, and no longer a credible messenger for the democratic values that have always defined our great Republic.

“How we arrived at this moment, with domestic terrorists storming Congress and desecrating the Capitol, should be no mystery.  This was not an act of patriotism, but an act of sedition.  For months, President Trump has fed Americans a steady diet of lies and disinformation in an effort to overthrow the November 2020 election and cling on to power.

“This afternoon, the President poured fuel on that fire by inciting a lawless and violent takeover of the United States Capitol.  But he alone is not solely responsible for today’s chaos and disorder.

“For weeks, the same Republicans behind a meritless effort to disrupt the constitutionally-mandated certification of President-elect Biden’s 306 electoral votes have parroted Donald Trump’s wild and baseless conspiracy theories.  It is outrageous that some members of the House and Senate would spread lies instead of upholding their oath to the Constitution, to stand up for truth, democracy, and the rule of law.

“That is why as soon as the Capitol building is secured, we must immediately resume our constitutional duty, certify the Electoral College results, and reaffirm the will of the American people, who voted in unprecedented numbers for the Biden-Harris ticket.  And if the results in Georgia are any indication, the voters have rejected the President’s poisonous effort to taint our democracy, and are ready for a new Democratic Majority in the Senate to get to work advancing President-elect Biden’s bold agenda.

“Accepting losses at the ballot box is never easy—but it is the American way.  Should Americans lose their faith in the integrity of our elections, from the White House down to the school board, we may soon be left with nothing but the shadow of a once great Republic.

“On January 20th, President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn into office in a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

“It is a dark day in our country’s history.  But we will withstand it.  We will return to the chambers.  We will finish counting the Electoral College votes—no matter how long it takes—because our democracy is alive.  And we will certify Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next President and Vice President of the United States.”