WASHINGTON D.C. — As a mob of rioters broke their way into the Capitol Wednesday, Representative Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland was in the House chambers.
"It quickly escalated with a couple of announcements that there had been an individual that breached,” Huizenga told FOX 17 on the phone.
"As they were starting to get some folks out, there was an attempted breach into the House chambers. Capitol Hill police and a few members were getting ready to barricade,” Huizenga added.
An armed standoff was underway, freshman Congressman Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids in his first week of office was nearby.
"I think a lot of us have just been going around, making sure everyone's okay, keeping their spirits up,” Meijer said from the scene.
“The folks that stormed these buildings, they call themselves patriots, this is an act of treason if I've ever seen one,” Meijer added.
Representative Fred Upton has held seat since the 1980s, he was locked down in his office as rioters took the capitol. Upton says he never experienced anything quite like Wednesday.
“Never seen anything like it, we’ve had scary moments, I was here on 9/11, but this is really something else. The violence, anarchy, actually getting on the House and Senate floor. Disrupting what otherwise should have been a peaceful transition of power, its very disheartening” Upton told FOX 17 during a phone interview.
West Michigan’s three congressmen sharing that sentiment Wednesday, while calling on President Trump to help put an end to it.
“Part of [President Trump’s. legacy will be his efforts to deny the peaceful transition of power from one administration to the next, something our country is known for around the world,” Upton said.
“It was wrong when Antifa and others were on the streets creating violence. It's wrong now with supporters of the president and it needs to be denounced strongly,” Huizenga said.
‘I think the president needs to immediately condemn the violence, need to immediately move to recognize Vice President Biden as president-elect,” Meijer said Wednesday.
After the Capitol grounds were cleared, Congress reconvend as the counting to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's win continued.
“Like hell I’m going to let a bunch of domestic terrorists interrupt our government disrupt our proceedings and keep us from doing our constitutional duty,” Meijer said in a video he posted on Twitter.
Heading back to work. Like hell I’ll let a group of domestic terrorists keep us from fulfilling our constitutional responsibilities. pic.twitter.com/oq2C2KZk1w
— Rep. Peter Meijer (@RepMeijer) January 7, 2021
Prior to Wednesday, all three of West Michigan’s congressmen said they would not object to the electoral college certification.
