What Florida lawmakers are saying about protesters storming US Capitol

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are releasing statements and tweeting their thoughts after protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol and entered the Senate and House chambers Wednesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican

"Violence or rioting of any kind is unacceptable and the perpetrators must face the full weight of the law. The Capitol Police do an admirable job and I thank them for their hard work," DeSantis said in a written statement.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, Republican

Rubio tweeted that "there is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill. This is 3rd world style anti-American anarchy."

Rubio also called on President Trump to "restore order by sending resources to assist the police and ask those doing this to stand down."

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, Republican

Scott tweeted, "everyone has a right to peacefully protest. No one has a right to commit violence. What happened today at the Capitol is disgraceful and un-American. It is not what our country stands for."

Scott also thanked Capitol police and law enforcement in D.C.

Scott later tweeted that "the thugs who stormed the Capitol today and incited violence should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, Republican

Mast tweeted that "attacking our Capitol and the selfless law enforcement officers defending it is as unpatriotic and appalling as it gets. The people who are doing that must stop so we can return to our democratic process!"

Mast spoke with WPTV anchor Michael Williams and called the acts "un-American" and counter to the democratic process underway in the House.

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, Democrat

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out. I am safe, and my staff are safe," Frankel said in a written statement. "This is not who we are as a nation. What happened at the U.S. Capitol today was a tragic and un-American attack on our democracy, and a direct consequence of a President who has encouraged violence and undermined our election system by lying to the American public. The disgraceful events of today do not change the fact that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the 2020 election and will be sworn in as President and Vice President. Democracy will prevail."

Frankel spoke with WPTV reporter Ryan Hughes about the situation while she was barricaded inside an undisclosed room.

U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, Democrat

"The violence that took place on Capitol Hill (Wednesday) was outrageous, shameful, and a complete assault on our democracy. The President continues to encourage acts of domestic terrorism and Jan. 6, 2021, will forever be a stain on the history of our country. It is immediately time for the 25th amendment to be invoked and for Trump to be removed from office," Hastings said in a written statement.

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, Democrat

Deutch tweeted "this is a violent insurrection. An attempted coup by Trump supporters at his encouragement. They're attacking the building that represents our democracy and threatening those who work in it. History will remember this dark day as a seditious attack by Americans against America."

Deutch later spoke with WPTV anchor Michael Williams about the violence by Trump protesters.

Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Republican

"In a democracy, rioting, violence and lawlessness are repugnant and unacceptable. This isn’t a peaceful protest. It’s a tragic, cowardly and un-American spectacle," Sprawls said in a written statement.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democrat

Schultz called out President Trump and said "the blood spilled today is on your hands."

U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart

Diaz-Balart tweeted "while peaceful protests are an integral part of our democracy, lawlessness and violence are NOT acceptable."

U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, Republican

Salazar was not in D.C. but tweeted she was "troubled by what is happening in Washington" and "there is absolutely no place for violence and rioting in the U.S. Capitol!"

U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, Republican

Cammack tweeted that "violence has no place in our politics. This needs to stop now!" and later tweeted that she and her staff are "now safe, away from the Capitol. Please pray for our law enforcement and for peace."

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, Republican

Rutherford tweeted "the lawlessness taking place here in our nation’s capital is unacceptable and un-American."

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, Democrat

Soto tweeted that "this was a historically dangerous attack on our democracy incited by the violent rhetoric of a treacherous President."

U.S. Rep. Val Demings, Democrat

Demings tweeted her office was evacuated and her staff was safe, and she was praying for the safety of the Capitol Police officers.

She called the "mob storming the U.S. Capitol" a "coup in progress" and a "dark day for America."

U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, Republican

Website tweeted "thank you Capitol Police for protecting Congress. Attacks on law enforcement doing their jobs is wrong."

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Republican

Bilirakis tweeted "these unruly behaviors are completely unacceptable and place law enforcement and countless individuals in harm’s way."

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, Democrat

Castor tweeted "it's entirely outrageous that the defeated president is egging on racist white supremacists for violent action, disrupting a peaceful transfer of power."

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Republican

Buchanan tweeted "what's happening now in the U.S. Capitol is sickening and unacceptable" and said it was a "dark day in the history of our nation."

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, Republican

Donalds tweeted the "rule of law must stand during our nation's brightest & darkest hours & that includes right now. We are better than this. There is no place for anarchy."

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, Democrat

Murphy tweeted that she was safe.

State Rep. Emily Slosberg

"The ongoing unrest at the United States Capitol is utterly unacceptable. Sadly, we are witnessing an insurrection at the heart of the American government; at the heart of American democracy. These actions verge on domestic terrorism as Congress works to fulfill a pivotal constitutional role in determining the next President of the United States. I urge all Americans – both in Washington, D.C. and beyond – to remain calm. There is no place for violence in our political process," Slosberg said in a written statement.