Friend,

After the insurrection that unfolded last week, I wanted to write to you and share a bit about what happened – along with what needs to happen next:

When we were informed that the Capitol had been breached, shock and fear was clearly evident in the faces of staff and senators as we moved to evacuate the chamber. Going down the hallway and stairs we saw the mobs and rioters through the windows, brandishing Confederate and Trump flags.

The harrowing threat of physical violence seemed real. I tried to comfort a young staff member, seeing tears and terror in her eyes, by saying that we were in good hands and out of harm's way. There was also some humor as an attempt at distraction - I told a new colleague, sworn in only last Sunday: "Things were fine until you got here."

There was also fierce determination to do our job and complete the vote certification - go back to the chamber and show that mob violence and insurrection would not block democracy.

First and foremost, I want to make it clear that this attack on the Capitol was instigated and incited by Donald Trump.

He and his enablers hold the full weight of responsibility for the rioters' destruction and for the five people who were killed – including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who tragically gave his life defending our democracy.

Every last person involved in this violent assault must be vigorously prosecuted and held accountable. And that accountability should not – "and must not" – stop at those who breached the Capitol:

That's why I support any constitutional effort to remove Donald Trump from office. If an attempted coup d'etat isn't grounds for removal under the 25th Amendment, I'm not sure what is. So if Mike Pence and the Cabinet fail to invoke it, the Senate must join the House's effort to impeach and remove Trump.

Every moment he sits in the Oval Office, he poses a dire threat to our national security. His removal is vital to the prevention of additional violence and to the protection of the peaceful transition of power.

There must also be accountability for the tragically weak and inadequate response. The preparation for last week's insurrection was lax, late, and lagging. We absolutely cannot ignore how sharply it contrasts with the appallingly violent actions toward peaceful protestors speaking out for Black lives, reproductive justice, the Affordable Care Act, and immigrant rights. Justice is imperative.

I know how frightening it was to see a violent mob attack our democracy. But here's what we must remember: Despite the assault, democracy prevailed. The Senate and the House reconvened to certify the Electoral College results that solidify Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' victory – as well as the beginning of a new, brighter, and more hopeful chapter for our country.

Even still, there is much work ahead of us. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Thank you for always staying strong in this critical work to uphold our democracy.

Dick



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