‘Stop NOW.’ Kentucky delegation members in U.S. Capitol hide from, react to rioters

U.S. Reps. John Yarmuth, James Comer, Hal Rogers and Thomas Massie used social media Wednesday to tell their constituents they were safe as Kentucky politicians responded to extraordinary riots at the U.S. Capitol.

After the mob got inside the building, Comer said he was OK but not allowed to talk or give his location, according to a statement reported by WDRB.

“I’m with around 100 members in an undisclosed location. We evacuated the House Floor when protesters made their way inside the Capitol to the front door of the House and beat the glass in. We’ve been re-evacuated four times since then.”

Sen. Rand Paul posted on Twitter: “Violence and mob rule is wrong and un-American, and it will not bring about election reform. Today’s mayhem sets back any intelligent debate for a generation. Just stop it.”

The counting of the Electoral College results stopped as the rioters stormed the building in Washington, D.C., in support of President Donald Trump. The riots started after Trump addressed the crowd. Inside the Capitol, a small group of Republicans had started to challenge some electoral results.

All of Kentucky’s U.S. representatives and senators are Republicans except for Yarmuth, a Louisville Democrat.

Yarmuth said, “My staff and I are safe and following the U.S. Capitol Police’s evacuation orders as large groups of Trump supporters are attempting to storm the Capitol and House buildings. This is not who we are as Americans.”

Rogers denounced the violence.

“Violence is never the answer. As my staff and I safely shelter in place, I’m appalled to see Americans storming the Capitol in an effort to disrupt our very foundation of democracy. I believe every voice should be heard, but violent methods fall on deaf ears.”

Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington in a statement called the events “tragic, outrageous and devastating. “

“The United States is an exceptional nation because we resolve our differences peacefully — through the ballot box, the courts and our democratic institution — not through violence. What is happening at the Capitol is NOT who we are as a nation. It needs to stop NOW.”

Terry Carmack, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s chief of staff, declined to comment shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. He referred questions to McConnell’s press staff, who did not immediately respond.

In Frankfort, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear called the actions at the U.S. Capitol “concerning and embarrassing.”

“It seems that intimidation is the new way to get what you want, everybody being a bully. We see it there, and we see it here.”

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican, said on Twitter that “what is happening on Capitol Hill today is despicable, and I condemn it.”

“We are a country founded on the rule of law. Concerns and grievances are addressed through the political process and through peaceful protests, not violence and anarchy. This must stop.”

Republican Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams said he was praying for the safety of all members of Congress, staff and Capitol Police.

“The reason we have elections is so we don’t have what we see today — madness and mob rule,” Adams said on Twitter.

The Republican Party of Kentucky issued a statement condemning the violence at the U.S. Capitol:

“We denounce the angry mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol today. The individuals engaged in this criminal behavior are dangerous and destructive and should be held fully accountable. ”

This story was originally published January 6, 2021 at 3:39 PM.