GOP lawmakers condemn violence, breach of U.S. Capitol building

"Let me be clear, anyone who breached the Capitol today, or participated in the violence, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Rep. McCaul said in a tweet.

By Alex Nitzberg

Published: January 6, 2021 3:57pm

Updated: January 6, 2021 4:36pm

Rep. Michael McCaul tweeted on Wednesday that any person who engaged in violence or breached the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday should face arrest and prosecution.

"Let me be clear, anyone who breached the Capitol today, or participated in the violence, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the Texas Republican said in a tweet. In an earlier post the congressman wrote: "I like many people voted for President Trump in the 2020 election and hoped for a different result. But violence and destruction is not the way to express your grievances. This is disgraceful and has to end."

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas on Wednesday also condemned violence: "Violence and anarchy are unacceptable. We are a nation of laws. This needs to end now."

Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott tweeted: "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."