After violence erupted at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon, all elected representatives from the Delaware Valley appear to be safe, according to their Twitter timelines, except for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). Only Fitzpatrick has not tweeted anything since a mob stormed the Capitol after 2 p.m. and began a brief takeover that included rioters taking over the dais in the U.S. Senate, the office of the Speaker of the House, and more.
There is no evidence or reports that Fitzpatrick has been harmed, but at this point he also has not delivered any communications. A call to his office just before 5 p.m. Eastern was not picked up.
All Republican members of the Pennsylvania delegation were expected to support the many objections to certifying the vote except for Fitzpatrick.
Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) gave two updates, each about an hour apart, on her condition, after the rioters stormed the Capitol around 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Likewise, congresswomen Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and Susan Wild (PA-o7) both confirmed that they were safe and unhurt about an hour after the violence began.
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) made a brief appearance on Fox News after multiple floors of the Capitol had been breached by the rioters.
“I walked by the Capitol steps on my way into the office at 1 o’clock and saw people who had breached the walls of the Capitol building in a very worrisome, very dangerous, and profoundly disappointing way,” she said. Houlahan said she was keeping in touch with a group of congresspeople who are also veterans and that the group was constantly updating each other on develpments and each other’s safety.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (PA-02) clearly expressed his indignation after the riots began.
Later in the day, Boyle tweeted, “Thanks to all who have texted, emailed, and messaged me asking if I’m safe. Happy to report I am. I will also tell you this: we will not let some band of thugs stop us from doing our constitutional duty. Our democracy is at stake.”
Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03)retweeted a video of President-elect Joe Biden’s speech, made sometime after 3 p.m.
At least one person was reported to have been shot in the confrontation.
At 1 p.m., Vice President Mike Pence began the process of certification of the Electoral College vote from the various states. After Alabama and Alaska were approved, an objection was lodged over the Arizona vote. Per procedure, house members and Senate members went to their respective chambers to debate the objection.
Not long after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave an impassioned rebuke of the objection, videos from outside the Capitol showed protesters and rioters massing ever closer to the Capitol doors, which they eventually breached.
At about 3:30, President Trump published a tweet asking for calm.
The Bucks County GOP also tweeted in support of Capitol Police and denounced the violence.
“What we’re seeing today is not democracy—it’s an attempted coup,” Gov. Tom Wolf tweeted. “We had a free and fair election. The results were clear. Republicans from Pres. Trump to PA legislative leaders need to stop the disinformation and tell their supporters the truth before there’s further violence.”
The Delaware County GOP provided the following statement to Delaware Valley Journal:
“The Delaware County Republican Party strongly condemns the violent actions that occurred at the United States Capitol today.
“We understand and respect that many people were there to voice their displeasure with the results of the election, which is their constitutional right to do. However, we do not support those who chose to storm the Capitol, assault members of the law enforcement community, and engage in looting and destruction. As we have said before, violence has no place in political discourse.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with members of the law enforcement community as they work to bring calm to the situation and restore order.”
