Rep. Seth Moulton: Capitol Attack Was A Trump-Inspired Coup

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) called for President Donald Trump's removal from office Wednesday night in declaring the breach of the U.S. Capitol a "brazen assault on our democracy" and "literally an attempted coup inspired by the President of the United States."

Moulton, who earlier in the day called for Vice President Mike Pence to work with President Trump's Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from the presidency, told Patch in a phone interview Wednesday night that he "100 percent" blames Trump for the day of destruction and violence.

"He's the one who called for this," Moulton told Patch.

CBS reported Wednesday night Trump's Cabinet members have discussed invoking the 25th Amendment.

Moulton said he was in his office because of coronavirus restrictions preparing to go to the U.S. House Chamber to vote on accepting President-Elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over Trump when the breach occurred.

Congress was first told to shelter in place before Moulton was later moved to another building for his safety.

"Some of my colleagues said it was the most frightening day of their lives," he said.

(Trump Mob Breaches Capitol; 1 Killed In Melee; Biden Decries Riot)

Rioters breached the Capitol with photos from inside of the building showing them in the House Chamber and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's office. Tear gas was also seen coming from the front of the building where some rioters claimed balconies and what is to be the inauguration stage when Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

"It's just unbelievable that there was such a brazen assault on our democracy," he said. "This is violence I expected to see overseas when I was serving in Iraq. I never expected to see it here at home."

He said he supports bringing articles of impeachment against Trump for his role in instigating the attack, but that whether that happens "is up to House leadership."

"Future generations of Americans need to know that this lawlessness will not be tolerated in our democracy," he said.

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U.S. Rep Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) also condemned Trump for his role in inciting the violence and was one of several Bay State representatives who called for Trump's removal from the White House.

"Donald Trump is a traitor to our country and our Constitution," she said in a statement. "He must be removed from office and prevented from further endangering our country and our people."

Donald J. Trump should immediately be impeached by the House of Representatives & removed from office by the United States Senate as soon as Congress reconvenes. This is dangerous & unacceptable.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) January 6, 2021

Moulton also called for investigation on why Capitol police were not more prepared for the riot, while blaming Trump for refusing to call out the National Guard for Wednesday's vote as tensions escalated in Washington.

"The investigation that has to come will reveal that the Capitol police failed in their duties," he said. "Frankly, I've thought the Capitol police were unprofessional for a long time and today that unprofessionalism resulted in a lack of security."

More Patch Coverage: 'This Is Anarchy': MA Lawmakers Speak Amid Chaos At Capitol Hill

Salem Officials Condemn 'Attack' On U.S. Capitol