Dear friend,

Wednesday was a dark day for Americans. With encouragement from Republican elected officials, and the President himself, armed, violent, right-wing extremists stormed the United States Capitol.

This attempted coup was undoubtedly a direct and rising consequence of the dangerous rhetoric and lies that Donald Trump has spewed for the past four years. His insistence that the election was fraudulent -- a claim debunked time and time again -- serves only to undermine our democracy, and the American people’s faith in our institutions.

Public officials -- including Donald Trump -- must be held responsible for the role they played in inciting these events. President Trump has proven himself unwilling to uphold his oath of office and must be removed, either by the 25th Amendment or impeachment.

After the extremists’ failed attempt, and into the late hours of the night, I was proud to join Congress in certifying Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next President and Vice-President of the United States. We will never forget what happened on the Hill, but we must forge ahead as the representatives we were elected to be.

Stay safe,

Congresswoman Terri Sewell