Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine Calls Occupation Of U.S. Capitol An 'Embarrassment To Our Country'

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Wednesday called the occupation of the US Capitol Building an "embarrassment" that runs counter to actions in a nation of laws.

DeWine, a Republican, said the final step in the constitutional process of electing a president was disrupted by what he called "a violent mob."

"This is an embarrassment to our country," said DeWine, who previously served in Washington both as a U.S. representative and U.S. senator.

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  "As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable," DeWine said. "This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear."

  DeWine said peaceful demonstrations are a First Amendment exercise, but stopping the constitutional process of electing a president is not.

  The right to protest peacefully is protected under the Constitution but the actions by violent mobs against our law enforcement and property at the @USCapitol building today are not. @realdonaldtrump should condemn this unacceptable vandalism and violence.

  — Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 6, 2021

  Republican Attorney General Dave Yost also called the Capitol occupation "lawlessness," while in a tweet, Ohio's Republican U.S. Senator, Rob Portman, called on President Donald Trump to "condemn this unacceptable vandalism and violence."

  (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

In:
• Ohio
• Washington D.C.