Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona calls US Capitol riots treason, not a protest

PHOENIX – U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona expressed disgust with the actions that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to uphold their duty in correctly certifying the results of the presidential election.

“It is stunning, Madam Speaker, that there are some in this House who voiced support for what happened,” Stanton said.

“It was not a protest, it was treason. It was sedition and it should be prosecuted as such.”

Violent pro-President Donald Trump protesters stormed the nation’s Capitol as Congress attempted to certify the results of the election that would officially award President-elect Joe Biden the victory.

The breach forced lawmakers to shelter in place while authorities worked to secure the Capitol.

Stanton was one of the first representatives to speak when the session resumed. Earlier in the day, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona led an objection to the 11 Electoral College votes in Arizona for Biden.

Stanton, a Democrat, called out his Republican colleagues for continuing to make contradictory election fraud claims that “put party and power before country” and continued to incite violence.

“That’s not how democracy works, and neither is armed insurrection,” Stanton said.

The state representative also pointed out that high ranking Republican officials in Arizona like Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Gov. Doug Ducey have affirmed that the state ran safe and fair elections.

“After Election Day as the legal challenges played out, the governor kept quiet, but when the truth became clear, even he acknowledged quote, ‘Joe Biden did win Arizona,’” Stanton said.

The Democrat pleaded with his colleagues to uphold the oath that they have taken to fairly represent their constitutes.

“Defending democracy is not and should not be a partisan task, it is a sacred one,” Stanton said.