Trump Is 'Inciting A Coup,' NJ Congressman Norcross Says

Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1) said he and his staff are safe, said President Donald Trump is inciting a coup, and called the protests unfolding at the nation’s capital a “direct attack on our democracy.”

Protesters stormed their way into the U.S. Capitol Wednesday to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next President of the United States. The move overwhelmed Capitol Police, who evacuated members of Congress as violence escalated.

“I was on the House Floor, but my staff and I are safe,” Norcross said in a statement on Twitter. “This violence needs to end.”

In a separate tweet, Norcross, who represents parts of Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington counties, wrote, “Trump has incited a riot, a coup. This is a direct attack on our democracy.”

Norcross later described the scene in a YouTube video moments before the Senate reconvened to finish certifying the results of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.

"Today showed us a nation divided cannot stand," Norcross said. "Only together, we as a nation will survive. ... In the end, it's only by working together that we will get through this."

Members of Congress from both parties implored President Donald Trump to use his influence on Twitter to quell the violence. One person was treated for a gunshot wound at the Capitol, a Washington, D.C., paramedic told a Fox 5 reporter.

Once intruders had forced their way into both Chambers of Congress, Trump issued this tweet: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order — respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!"

Both the Library of Congress and the Cannon House Office Building were on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after many demonstrators marched down to the U.S. Capitol and forced their way into both chambers of Congress. The moves followed a speech by President Donald Trump and the first round of Congressional objections to the election of Joe Biden. Read more here: Trump Supporters Breach Locked Down Capitol; 1 Shot In Melee

Camden County Director Louis Cappelli Jr. also released a statement on the matter Wednesday afternoon:

“This is a day that will live in infamy in American history. A rabid mob has overtaken Capitol Police, led by confederate flags, and has stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Vice President of the United States has been evacuated and legislators are locked down or have been evacuated from the building. The Capitol Building has been breached and invaded by a violent, lawless horde that is reminiscent of the British burning down the White House and the Capitol in 1814. I’m stunned by what I am seeing, and I believe this is an ongoing national tragedy that has been instigated and exasperated by Donald J. Trump. This is a historic and sad day in our nation’s history, when following hundreds of years of a peaceful transfer of power, we are watching chaos ensue. Make no mistake, we are watching a fight for the vision of our forefathers, one that hundreds of thousands of Americans have died protecting. The U.S. Constitution, carefully crafted in 1789, created the guiderails for good governance and today, an armed mob is trying to shred it. While I watch this mob pose for pictures on the floor of the U.S. Senate I can only pray for the safety of our legislators and law enforcement inside and outside the building.

"Everyone that has enabled Trump over the last four years has created a crisis in our U.S. Capitol and has undermined our democracy. I believe it is up to all of us to not buy into the hate that is fueling this mob and has been spewed by Trump. As a nation we need to move forward and never allow an autocrat to ever hold the top job again. Make no mistake, these events are, ultimately and sadly, directly related to four years of conspiracy theories, lies and fabrications. These actions transcend political parties because no matter what party you belong to the actions that we are all watching is nothing short of anarchy.”