'Terrifying And Unprecedented’: CT Reacts To Capitol Storm

CONNECTICUT — As protesters stormed into the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Connecticut leaders rushed to keyboards and phones to express their shock, disbelief and anger.

One Connecticut lawmaker, the 4th District's Rep. Jim Himes, even began tweeting what mounted to a running commentary on the chaos around 2:30 p.m.

Mainstream media outlets, including MSNBC, ABC and Connecticut's WFSB, were quick to retweet Himes' blow-by-blow account as law enforcement agents worked to quell the violence.

Himes later told CNN, "We spend an awful lot of money on security, and yet we have old file cabinets and coat racks in front of doors."

The protest was touched off by the certification of votes for President-elect Joe Biden. The scramble of protesters overwhelmed Capitol police, who evacuated members of Congress from the building as violence escalated.

Wednesday's clash was not a surprise to Sen. Chris Murphy, who predicted a dust-up was in the works in a tweet Tuesday night:

Later on Wednesday, Murphy called the violence at the Capitol an insurrection.

"And President Trump bears responsibility," he said. "It will not succeed. It will not stop us from doing the work of democracy. It will not stop the transfer of power. Those responsible will be held accountable."

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said despite the day's unexpected turn, the government would keep about its business:

"Make no mistake: Congress will do its job," Blumenthal tweeted. "This election will still be certified, & President-elect Biden & Vice President-elect Harris will be sworn in on January 20th."

The outrage over the breakdown of order in the nation's capital and the threat inside one of its most hallowed buildings appeared to be bipartisan.

Members of Congress from both parties implored President Donald Trump to use his influence on Twitter to halt the protests; the commander-in-chief told supporters to toe the line and help put a stop to the violence.

A woman was shot and killed during the chaos, according to The Washington Post. Five others were hospitalized, according to NBC.

During a morning rally, Trump told the teeming crowd of protesters that he would never concede the election.

After the storming of the Capitol, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted Trump has dispatched the National Guard "along with other federal protective services" to put down the protest.

"I know you're hurt," Trump said in a Twitter video meant to mollify his supporters storming the Capitol. "We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election, and everyone knows it — especially the other side. But you have to go home now. We have to have peace."

For Democrat Sean Scanlon, the state representative for Guilford and Branford, the actions by the Trump Administration came too late and rang false:

Gov. Ned Lamont released an 18-second video asking that Trump demand his followers "stand down and respect the peaceful transfer of power."

"Words have consequences, and your angry words have dangerous consequences," Lamont said.

Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, both Democrats, released a statement Wednesday claiming that "today's chaos and violence is due to President Trump's reckless comments and his rejection of the clear and decisive election results. Republicans everywhere should reject this violence, sedition, and subversion of American democracy."

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong took issue with the way the event was being described, and also called upon President Trump to resign.

"This is no protest, this is a violent insurrection. We're under attack from within — figuratively and in fact," Tong said in a statement. "The terrorists, traitors and enablers who instigated, aided, and abetted this coup — including those in Congress — must be held accountable and never walk these halls of democracy again. The President must resign now."

Democratic state Sen. Will Haskell didn't mince words about the invasion of the Capitol, calling it a coup.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat representing the state's 3rd District, assured constituents she was safe. Like Haskell, she characterized the events as an attempt to overthrow the government:

"Make no mistake, this was a coup attempted by President Trump," DeLauro tweeted. "Everyone who has aided and abetted him for the past four years bears responsibility for today's violence."

Democratic state Rep. John Larson, representing the 1st District, thanked law enforcement and condemned Trump and fellow lawmakers.

Thankful for the Capitol Police, who are putting themselves in danger right now to protect the Capitol, Members, & staff. This is on the hands of Pres. Trump, Sen Cruz, & everyone of the so-called party of law & order who are encouraging chaos right now to overturn the election.
— Rep. John Larson (@RepJohnLarson) January 6, 2021

Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, a Republican, called for those responsible for the protests to disperse.

"These actions are dismantling a constitutionally mandated process that must play out," Kupchick wrote on Facebook. "Storming our Nations Capitol to access an occupied House and occupied Senate chambers, is despicable. The President and Vice President need to send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated and needs to stop now!"

Some lawmakers, like 5th District Rep. Jahana Hayes, used social media to assure their constituents they were unharmed:

I am safe and sheltering in an undisclosed location. I await further instructions and look forward to continuing the process of counting the electoral college votes so that we can certify @JoeBiden and have a true leader for this nation.
— Jahana Hayes (@RepJahanaHayes) January 6, 2021

Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney of the state's 2nd District retweeted Republican and Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, posting "We have sworn an oath under God to defend the Constitution. We uphold that oath at all times, not only when it is politically convenient."

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker emailed residents to condemn the events at the Capitol while still managing to strike a hopeful chord:

Today is a dark day in American history. Individuals are inciting violence and undermining our democratic institutions. We must move forward with resolve in the face of adversity, fight to hold our country together, and move it forward to a brighter day. I am proud to lead the City of New Haven, where we have a history of peaceful protests, respect for each other, and enough dignity to recognize the results of an election, even if it did not go our way.

Erin Stewart, mayor of New Britain and a rising star in the Connecticut's Republican Party, couldn't seem to find anything in the actions of the protesters she could defend. She tweeted, "This is embarrassing. What happened to 'law and order'? "

The peaceful transfer of power is a fundamental element of our democracy. This is not the behavior of my GOP. Like all of you, I am sad and I am ashamed. What I have been watching unfold, is simply un-American. - Mayor Erin Stewart (@erinstewartct) January 6, 2021

If there is any good to ultimately come of the turmoil in the nation's capital Wednesday, it may be the bipartinship displayed in places like Fairfield. The leaders of both the Democratic and Republican town committees put aside political differences and came together to release a rare joint statement. Republican Alex Plitsas and Democrat Steven Sheinberg condemned the "violent attack on the United States Capitol that took place" as "both sickening and illegal." They called upon Trump to "immediately act to end these seditious acts and discourage further acts of violence."

The Senate and House planned to resume the certifcation of the Electoral College vote count at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Al Branch, Anna Bybee-Schier, Vincent Salzo and Ellyn Santiago contributed to this story.