Montclair Mayor, Council On Capitol Riots: 'Simply No Excuse'

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair's mayor and council members offered a strong condemnation about "the attack on our Capitol" that took place on Wednesday.

Seeking to halt the Electoral College certification of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States, supplanting Donald Trump, protesters stormed their way into the Capitol in a violent siege. READ MORE: Trump Supporters Breach Locked Down Capitol; 1 Shot In Melee

Elected officials across New Jersey, including those in Montclair, were quick to speak up and condemn the chaos.

Mayor Sean Spiller and the Montclair Town Council issued a joint statement about the riots on Thursday:

"Yesterday was a very sad and difficult day for our country. The scenes from the U.S. Capitol were extremely distressing and disheartening to watch. We strongly condemn the criminal actions we saw from the violent mob that stormed and ravaged the Capitol in an attempt to undermine our democratic institutions, overturn a freely and fairly conducted election, and impede what should have been the peaceful transfer of power. There is simply no excuse for what the world witnessed yesterday. Those responsible for this violent insurrection must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are thankful that the members of Congress were able to safely and determinately complete their constitutionally mandated task of confirming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our new President and Vice President. In two weeks, with their inauguration, they will begin fulfilling the moral and political mandate to 'comfort a bruised and angry nation.'"

Spiller and the council continued:

"As government officials, we have an obligation to be voices of reason and calm in times of crisis. It is our hope that in the coming days our nation can begin to heal and work toward bridging the deep rift that has torn our country further and further apart during the past several years. We must work together to do all we can to make our great nation whole again."

President Trump tweeted about the incident on Wednesday afternoon, asking people to "remain peaceful" and avoid violence.

Several elected officials across New Jersey, however, have accused Trump of fanning the flames, including Rep. Donald Norcross, who said the president "incited a riot."

• 'Attack On Democracy:' NJ Congress Members Take Shelter, Decry DC Riots
• Sen. Bob Menendez, Cory Booker Of NJ Decry 'Chaos' At Capitol
• Rep. Payne Of NJ On Capitol 'Assault': A Sad, Sad Day For America

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