Union Co. Officials: Rioters 'Actions Are Unpatriotic, Cowardly'

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of Commissioners called the actions of rioters at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. "disgraceful, unpatriotic and cowardly.

"We strongly condemn the acts of those who commit violent acts and are acting to subvert the Constitution and the laws of our land. The people have spoken, and we have seen enough. The time is long past to restore respect for the law, for the Constitution, and for the peaceful transfer of power," said Union County Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Protesters stormed their way into the U.S. Capitol on 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. Read More: Trump Mob Breach Locked Down Capitol; 1 Shot In Melee

One person was treated for a gunshot wound at the Capitol, a Washington, D.C., paramedic told the Washington, D.C., Fox News affiliate. CNN cited two sources saying the woman was in critical condition.

Congressman Tom Malinowski, who represents parts of Union County, also is reportedly safe and locked down inside Capital Hill as protestors forced their way into the chambers of Congress, according to his spokeswoman Amanda Osborne

In a News 12 interview, Malinowski says he was in the house chamber when the first breach occurred before everyone was evacuated by the capital police.

"The most important thing is that the situation for us is under control. The situation for our country's democracy is obviously not under control," said Malinowski in the News 12 interview. "The President of the United States encouraged a violent attack on the United States capital. This is without precedent in American history and a mark of tremendous shame for all those who tolerated this behavior leading up to today."

Watch the full interview below:

President Donald Trump tweeted a video around 4:20 p.m. asking protestors to "go home in peace." Twitter has since banned Trump's account for 12 hours, and warned for the first time that it may suspend him permanently, according to CNN.com.

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