Southwestern PA U.S. Representatives Condemn Capitol Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The frightening, outrageous rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday sparked a swift reaction from the bulk of western Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation. But two congressmen aligned with President Donald Trump prior to a violent mob invading their place of work took steps not to criticize the president for the violence that occurred.

Protesters stormed their way into the 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 and one person was killed.

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of the 14th Congressional District, represents Fayette County, Greene County, and Washington County, as well as part of Westmoreland County. The Peters Township Republican joined other GOP members of Congress in supporting the recent Texas attorney general’s unsuccessful lawsuit seeking to toss out election results in Pennsylvania and three other states that Biden won.

Reschenthaler also led the delegation of eight Republican Pennsylvania Congressmen who stated they would vote against the certification, called Trump "the BEST president since Lincoln" as protests got underway at 1 p.m. He didn’t mention the president in a 4 p.m. Twitter post.

“The violence happening at the Capitol is unacceptable,” he tweeted. “Today’s reckless events do not advance conservative values.”

GOP U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of northwestern Pennsylvania’s 16th District, a plaintiff in an unsuccessful lawsuit that attempted to have the votes of the majority of Pennsylvanians who voted by mail in the Nov. 3 election declared unconstitutional, didn’t mention Trump in his comments on the insurrection.

“We know there is a lot of anger over this election and what’s happening in America, but this is not who we are. We resolve our disputes peacefully under the rule of law,” he said. “My staff and I are safe and thank the Capitol Police for their bravery.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, whose 18th Congressional District includes Pittsburgh and some of its nearby suburbs, condemned the president via Twitter.

“The assault on the U.S. Capitol today and the accompanying criminal violence, property destruction, and disruption of the people’s business was unacceptable and tragic. It’s contrary to all of our proud political traditions,” he stated. “I place the lion’s share of the blame for it on Donald Trump, who incited a mob of supporters to carry it out.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, whose 17th Congressional District includes Beaver County and portions of Allegheny and Butler counties, had no immediate comment.

Contributing: Michael O’Connell and Justin Heinze/Patch.