KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As a riot led by supporters of President Donald Trump took place at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., 41 Action News spoke with U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Missouri, over the phone.
As of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Cleaver was still locked down in a secure location at the U.S. Capitol building.
Cleaver said he is embarrassed and hurt by the violence and riots at the nation's Capital.
"I'm shuttered in, embarrassed for our country, this is probably the worst day for democracy since the Civil War," Cleaver said.
Cleaver said Wednesday’s riot is a bad look for democratic values.
"I think today we are sending out a signal that our democracy has been seriously weakened, and I am not only embarrassed — I am hurt to see what Americans are doing to Americans," Cleaver said.
As rioters broke through barricades and made their way into the building, lawmakers were told to stay inside, according to Cleaver.
Cleaver said President Trump is at fault for the unrest.
"The president has no right to feel like he's trying to bring order," Cleaver said. "He's the one at the rally, march down to the capitol, he's the one who did that."
Cleaver said lawmakers would remain in their secure locations until otherwise instructed.
—
