'This is un-American': Some Valley lawmakers condemn breach of US Capitol
Several congressional leaders from Central California took to social media to call for the chaos to stop.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Chaos erupted at the US Capitol on Wednesday as protesters stormed the building as lawmakers debated the electoral victory of president-elect Joe Biden.
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The breach of the Capitol led law enforcement to evacuate members from Congress from the building. Congressman Jim Costa was inside the capitol building in a joint session of Congress to certify the electoral college vote when rioters flooded inside.
"They began to storm those doors and capitol police were on the other side, and we were asked to hit the ground," Costa said. "Storming the capital to shut down one branch of government is an act of treason, let's be clear about that, it's not an act of patriotism."
Several other congressional leaders from Central California took to social media to call for the chaos to stop.
"What is unfolding is unacceptable and un-American. It has got to stop," said House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) on Twitter.
"This is my saddest day as a member of Congress," McCarthy told ABC News.
Other local members of Congress also denounced the swarming of the Capitol.
Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford) said the behavior of the protestors was "absolutely abhorrent" and "un-American."
"The attack on the Capitol strikes at the most sacred act of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power. It is an outrage and a threat to our most fundamental principles as a free people," Rep. Tim McClintock (R-Elk Grove) tweeted on Wednesday. McClintock also represents portions of Fresno and Madera counties.
A photo taken by the Associated Press showed Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) on the floor of the Capitol when lawmakers were told to get under their desks before they were eventually evacuated.
"Storming the capitol to shut down one branch of government is an act of treason, let's be clear about that. It's not an act of patriotism," Costa said.
A spokesperson for Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) told Action News that the congressman was safe amid the incident, but did not provide comment from Nunes.
RELATED: Joe Biden calls on Capitol mob to 'pull back,' urges restoring decency
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer released a statement condemning what happened at the U.S. Capitol as 'unacceptable' behavior.
