ANCHORAGE – In the wake of unwarranted assaults on the Capitol in Washington D.C., Senate Democratic Leader Tom Begich (D-Anchorage) issued the following statement:

“As I watch the mobs of the President’s supporters storm the U.S. Capitol building, inflamed by a President who has walked away from his oath of office, my heart breaks for our democracy. We are a nation of laws. We are a nation that respects the electoral process. Never in our history have we seen violence incited by a sitting President who so despises our American system that he would see it torn down rather than defend it. This is sedition.

“This vandalizing and defacing of democracy has no place here. Our Capitol has not been occupied by hostile forces, our Congress driven from its halls, since the war of 1812. As Americans, we must defend our constitution and our country from this rejection of our laws. As elected officials, we swore oaths to honor and defend our state and federal constitutions. Ever since we were children, we have stood up and pledged allegiance to our nation. Now I call on all elected officials, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, non-partisans, and all American citizens to condemn these actions and the actions of those who are inciting violence. We all must make efforts to heal this nation. Now."

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