Friends,

Yesterday, violent mobs breached the U.S. Capitol as Congress was performing its constitutional duty of certifying the presidential election results.

There are no words strong enough to convey how maddening and reprehensible yesterday was. I'm still attempting to grapple with it.

We were there watching the certification debate, and very early on, within the first half an hour, we looked at our phones and watched the livestream of the folks moving down the Mall. We saw the clashes happening outside; I was watching it in real-time on my phone. I started to get worried. Many of us did, as we saw the size of the crowd. I thought to myself after about a half an hour of that, "I don't think they'll be able to hold them back given what's happening."

Then, they broke through the security perimeter. Once we got word they had made it into the Capitol, and they started barricading the doors, I called Deserai. I told her I loved her and told the kids I loved them, then I told Deserai that I might have to fight my way out. At that point, we were trapped in the House chamber surrounded by the mob. The Capitol police officers had guns drawn and were stacking furniture against the main doors to create a barricade. The mob was trying to ram through the doors.

I did a double-check of all the doors, made sure they were locked. I escorted the more senior members away from the doors, moving them into a defensive position. Asked folks to take off their member pins so that if the mobs break down the doors, the members would be harder to identify.

I've been asked a couple of times: "How does this compare to combat?" It's very different. That was my job then. You train for it, you expect it, and you're ready for it. Never in a million years did I think I'd be in a situation like that in the U.S. Congress, in the U.S. Capitol, on the floor of the House of Representatives. I'm still trying to process that.

As I continue to process the events of yesterday, I find myself extremely angry at this administration and the enablers who allowed Trump to do this. The people who wreaked havoc and fear upon Congress, Washington D.C., and our entire country, must be held accountable. And so must the leaders who encouraged this violence.

But make no mistake, our nation's Constitution provides a road map for a democracy that is stronger than any attempt to overtake it. Last night, after the dust settled and our Capitol was secured, I am proud that Congress went back to work to fulfill our constitutional duty. In the early hours of this morning, the House and Senate certified Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' victory, and democracy prevailed.

Yesterday was a dark day, and we have a lot of work ahead. But together, we will create a more just and democratic future for our country.

Thank you,

Jason Crow