Cicilline, Others Call For Trump Removal Following Capitol Siege

PROVIDENCE, RI — As the country reels from the unexpected siege of the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers prepared to certify the results of the presidential election, Rhode Island leaders are firing back and decrying the actions of President Donald Trump and his supporters.

Amid concerns of similar attacks on state seats of government, Rhode Island State Police said no credible threats were made against the State House or other government buildings.

"At present, the Rhode Island State Police is not aware of any organized protests or credible threats to security at the Rhode Island State House or elsewhere in our state," Col. James Manni said in a statement. "However, due to the events taking place in our nation’s capital, additional security measures are being implemented to include an increased State Police presence statewide."

Wednesday afternoon, federal lawmakers were evacuated from the capitol after Trump supporters stormed the buildings, rushing past security and into congressional chambers. All four of Rhode Island's lawmakers tweeted that they and their staff were safe and unilaterally denounced the actions of the Trump supporters.

Rep. David Cicilline led the charge with fellow members of the House Judiciary to send a letter to Vice President Mike Pence calling for the invocation of the 25th Amendment, which would remove Trump from power.

“Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides the Vice President and a majority of sitting Cabinet secretaries with the authority to determine a president as unfit if he ‘is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’” the letter read in part. "Even in his video announcement this afternoon, President Trump revealed that he is not mentally sound and is still unable to process and accept the results of the 2020 election. President Trump’s willingness to incite violence and social unrest to overturn the election results by force clearly meet this standard. So too are his recent Tweets, which Twitter has since deleted, saying the election was 'stolen' and that today’s riots 'are the things and events that happen.'"

A little before 9 p.m., Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse tweeted that senators were back in the chamber, preparing to resume proceedings.

"Let’s hope our day of infamy and outrage has taken some wind out of the sails of our reckless and irresponsible objectors," Whitehouse said.

Back in Rhode Island, state leaders were vocal in their condemnation of the display at the capitol. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea called the actions "abhorrent," saying that she is praying for peace.

"As I heartbrokenly explained to my children what was happening, I told them that this mob will not have their way. Congress will still convene and do its constitutional duty," Gorbea said. "Joe Biden will be our next President and Kamala Harris our next Vice President because the 2020 election was fair and secure. Leadership matters and words matter. President Trump’s lies and disinformation on our election have fueled this attack on our democracy. We must begin to rebuild our country together with all deliberate speed."

Gov. Gina Raimondo also offered her prayers for the members of Congress, staff, media, first responders and other workers involved, calling for "a peaceful end to this assault on our democracy."

Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio called both Trump and his supporters "dangerous threats to our democracy."

"They perpetuate a false myth of widespread voter fraud because they don’t like the clear results of the November election," he said. "President Trump himself incited the assault on democracy that we witnessed this afternoon. This seditious attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power is tantamount to a coup attempt. It is a disgrace."

Read more:

• 'Say A Prayer For Our Country': RI Lawmakers On Capitol Chaos
  
• Far- Right Protesters Gather In DC To Oppose 'Rigged' Election