Friend,

The horrors of Wednesday were our founders' worst nightmare, from the rioters breaching the Capitol to those Republicans who helped inspire and enable it.

This violent attempt to prevent members of Congress from fulfilling their solemn duty to count electoral college electors and affirm the election of Joe Biden as our next president was nothing short of horrific. We lost five American lives and an immeasurable amount of faith in our democracy.

May this week's tragedy be the dusk of the darkest chapter of our lifetimes, and may tomorrow usher in a new American era embracing optimism over fear.

But make no mistake: As long as Donald Trump sits in the White House, he presents a threat to this country and the darkness will remain.

After Wednesday's events, I called on Vice President Pence and the White House Cabinet to invoke the 25th and remove Donald Trump from office. I still implore them to do so -- but I've remained in D.C. while Congress is in recess because if they don't act, the House and Senate must stay in session to remove the President from office and prevent him from causing even more harm to our nation.

This week's chaos proves we can't afford to wait. Not another minute. We have to do this now.

Stay safe. Know that brighter days are ahead. And know that I'll always stay alongside you to protect our democracy with everything I've got.

Thank you,

Dean Phillips