‘A dark day in America’: Central Florida leaders react to violent mob storming the U.S. Capitol

The Capitol is on lockdown. Violent Trump protesters are threatening the People’s House.

My office has been evacuated. Staff are safe. Praying for the safety of the Capitol Police officers who keep us safe.

This is not what our country should look like. We’re so much better.

— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 6, 2021

A mob storming the U.S. Capitol to overturn an election. A coup in progress. A dark day for America.

But this is what they always wanted. Don’t let them deny it.

They will lose. We will not be intimidated. Democracy will win.

— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 6, 2021

You caused this. https://t.co/Nv3sVtgWr9

— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 6, 2021

“Stand back and stand by?” “Stop the steal?”

We have a criminal president who has incited violence. He wanted this. Our country cannot heal until he and his spineless enablers are held criminally accountable for their actions. Justice demands it.

— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) January 6, 2021

There is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill. This is 3rd world style anti-American anarchy.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 6, 2021

Mr. President @realDonaldTrump the men & women of law enforcement are under assault. It is crucial you help restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 6, 2021

Welcome to Trump’s America. He encourages this behavior and every Republican voting with him today should be ashamed. https://t.co/Je9lzLNkxe

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 6, 2021

This is where four years of complicity got Pence.

Evacuated from the US Capitol for trying to certify legal election results. https://t.co/ibXrd1au7H

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 6, 2021

Hey @GovRonDeSantis, do you have any comments to the lack of “law and order” in the US Capitol leading to people being evacuated because of hostile Trump supporters or no?

Asking for millions of Floridians.

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 6, 2021

Can you imagine if this was a BLM protester? SMH. https://t.co/xKUJ1tYjZi

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 6, 2021

I never want to hear any bullshit about antifa again.

— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) January 6, 2021

What's occurring right now in DC is not democracy. It's un-American. It is not free speech - quite frankly it's pure thuggery. This is an attempt to highjack the values and ideals that have made this country the greatest in the world.

— Mike Chitwood (@SheriffChitwood) January 6, 2021

Everyone has a right to peacefully protest. No one has a right to commit violence. What happened today at the Capitol is disgraceful and un-American. It is not what our country stands for.

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 6, 2021

We are a nation founded on a rule of law and respect for those who uphold it. Violence against law enforcement officers attempting to keep the peace is unacceptable and anyone who attacks an officer should be brought to justice.

— AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) January 6, 2021

This was a historically dangerous attack on our democracy incited by the violent rhetoric of a treacherous President. We will protect your vote, uphold our Constitution and certify the election of Pres-elect Biden. pic.twitter.com/9EA64fShxp

— US Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) January 6, 2021

For those asking, I am safe. Thank you.

— Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) January 6, 2021

The U.S. saved my family from tyranny. I love it beyond words. Violent rioters desecrating the symbol of our great Republic & obstructing democracy is a seditious assault on our nation. Congress should immediately resume work. I for one will never back down in defending America.

— Rep. Stephanie Murphy (@RepStephMurphy) January 6, 2021

My statement from earlier today: pic.twitter.com/aoUN17dXi4

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 6, 2021

"The images we are seeing from the #CapitolBuilding are unbelievable and it really saddens me to see our democracy under attack like this. This is nothing short of domestic terrorism"
- @SheriffMina pic.twitter.com/aF1FbjFFdJ

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) January 6, 2021