Officials, agencies release statements in response to riot at US Capitol

From the Pro-Trump mob attacks U.S. Capitol series

Jan 11, 2021
Posted Jan 11, 2021 at 1: 05 PM

American Jewish Committee

The assault Jan. 6 on the U.S. Capitol by loyalists inspired and incited by President Donald Trump was not a political protest. It was an act of sedition by individuals, some armed with military-style weapons, who believed and had cause to believe that they were carrying out the instructions of the nation’s highest office holder, and dozens of other elected officials, to “stop the steal.”

AJC was appalled and deeply saddened by the events of Jan. 6, which brought bloodshed, mayhem and dishonor to the temple of American democracy. Those who committed crimes must be held accountable – as must those who encouraged and hoped to benefit from them.

As America reflects on this shameful episode, AJC urges recognition of the following truths:

There is no “steal.” The votes have been legally cast, counted, recounted, ruled valid by state and federal courts, upheld on appeal, adopted by the Electoral College, and certified by Congress. Exhaustive investigation has found no evidence of widespread fraud, as the nation’s senior law enforcement authorities have affirmed. The election wasn’t stolen. It was lost by the incumbent.

President Trump did not, as he asserted on video during the Capitol siege, win the 2020 election by a “landslide,” nor does “the other side” know this. The other side and the fact-based world as a whole know that the President lost to former Vice President Biden by more than 7 million votes, and by an Electoral College margin of 306 to 232.

The United States is a nation of laws, governed under a Constitution that has been the North Star for democratic movements around the world for more than two centuries. A bedrock principle of that Constitution and an emblem of the democracy it ensures is the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken. An incumbent who loses an election may exit gracefully, as most have done, or disgracefully, the option chosen by President Trump; either way, the laws and the American people call the tune, not the outgoing office-holder.

This pandemic-ravaged, economically strained, politically polarized nation is in need of, and ready for, balanced, compassionate, competent leadership – to heal wounds suffered and revealed not just on Jan. 6 but long in the making. Weaned from a diet of division and hate, it will rally to calls for unity.

The American beacon of democracy will and must continue to shine, giving hope to those who strive for freedom in desperate corners of the world and posing an unrelenting challenge to tyrants. The events of Jan. 6 are a reminder of the perils facing our own democracy – but they are equally a reminder of our obligation to overcome those perils not only for our sake but for the sake of all humanity.

AJC, a nonpartisan organization, looks forward to working with the incoming Biden administration and with members of both parties on Capitol Hill and in offices across America – as we always have and always will – to assure the protection, rights, and well-being of our community and of all peoples, and to defend the American democratic ideal.

Anti-Defamation League

The Anti-Defamation League today called for the removal of President Donald Trump from office, either by the means afforded by the U.S. Constitution or through his own resignation.

“As this week comes to a close, we must not allow the historic and horrific events of the past 48 hours to simply fade without significant consequences,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “In our over 100 years of history, ADL has never called for the President of the United States to be removed from office, but what occurred on Wednesday was inexcusable. It will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days of American democracy and it makes unambiguously clear: President Trump is unfit for office and needs to be removed.”

“Violence and sedition. Confederate flags being proudly displayed by rioters in the United States Capitol. White supremacists and far-right extremists marauding through the hallowed halls of one our nation’s most sacred institutions. This was incited by President Trump and organized on social media for all the world to see,” Greenblatt said. “The horrific events of this week are a culmination of years spent denigrating our democratic institutions, months of delegitimizing the electoral process, and innumerable tweets demonizing his perceived enemies, with zero regard for the consequences of his actions.”

Further, ADL is calling for a complete, thorough, and transparent investigation into the failings of law enforcement and Capitol Hill security. While there were those who bravely sought to repel the invasion of the building, including one officer who tragically lost his life, we need to understand why there was such a dangerously inadequate deployment of law enforcement despite the mob assembled on the National Mall. Additionally, investigations must be conducted regarding the disturbing inequities between how peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters were handled last summer in comparison to armed extremists storming the Capitol.

Finally, ADL, along with the Stop Hate for Profit coalition, which ADL co-founded with eight other storied civil rights and advocacy organizations, has called on all social media platforms to #BanTrumpSaveDemocracy and permanently remove him from their services by January 20. Brands and companies should pull back on advertising on these social media networks, like Facebook and Twitter, until Trump is entirely removed from these platforms

“These are the bare minimum steps that must occur,” Greenblatt said. “Racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and so many other forms of hate were on full display as extremists perpetrated violence and sedition. We must root out this evil if we are ever to heal as a nation.”

ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at adl.org.

Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow and CEO/Executive Director Janice Weinman

Earlier today, Americans of all political stripes watched with anger, fear and sorrow as the United States Capitol - a great symbol of our democracy - was desecrated by a violent mob intent on impeding a constitutional process. They have failed.

The criminal behavior and events of this afternoon are abhorrent, as are attempts to disrupt democracy with incitement to violence. As Jews, we know the power of words and demand our elected leaders raise the level of discourse and lead with civility.

We feel the heavy weight of today’s events and the chasms that divide our nation. We hope that we will continue to learn from and about others, to love our neighbors, and to move forward as one nation.

We are grateful to the law enforcement agencies who stood in harms way, and that our elected representatives have safely returned to the House and Senate to continue the business of the people.

Jewish Community Board of Akron

The Jewish Community Board of Akron joins with Ohio's Congressional Delegation, Governor DeWine, and the majority of our statewide and local elected officials in condemning the violent insurrection at the United States Capitol Building yesterday.

We are outraged at this seditious attempt to disrupt the peaceful transition of power in a presidential election and denounce the disturbing pattern of incendiary rhetoric fueled by misinformation and conspiracies. We call on law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of these horrendous acts to justice and for Members of Congress and elected officials at every level to unequivocally and continually speak out against the violence and begin restoring confidence in our democratic processes.

We are grateful for the US Capitol Police, the US Secret Service, the DC National Guard, and the other law enforcement and emergency response professionals. They protected our elected officials while defending democracy and its institutions. As we do on the Sabbath, our Jewish Community continues to pray for our country's welfare and that our government officials obtain the counsel and courage necessary to make wise, compassionate decisions in line with our tradition's values.

Jewish Federation of Cleveland

During this week’s Shabbat, we reflected on the events of the past week. We feel it is important to share some additional thoughts with you and ask for your help.

First, as Jews, we have witnessed time and time again throughout history the desecration of our sacred religious spaces. What occurred last week when our country’s most sacred secular space was desecrated is no less horrific. The rage and violence that engulfed the Capitol building was a frontal attack on the civil and democratic society we sought when our people began to immigrate to this country.

Furthermore, we cannot allow any incendiary, hate-fueled actions and rhetoric of any kind to go unchallenged. Last week’s violent attack was just the latest example of the devastating results when anti-Semitism, racism, and all forms of hatred are allowed to become normalized.

Thankfully, through all the chaos, democracy did ultimately prevail. Regardless of your political party affiliation, it was hard not to be moved by the dedication of our elected officials to complete their sworn duties.

So, as we look ahead to the weeks and months to come, we ask that you remember – and remind others – that:

Words and actions matter – and directly affect the health of our nation’s democracy. We must resist inflammatory rhetoric coming from either side in order to protect and preserve the basic fabric of our society for the generations that follow.

Our strength comes from working together. We cannot allow external forces to distract us from our common values or divide our Jewish community into separate factions.

An attack on any community is an attack on all communities – and hate has no home in our country or in any civil society.

For decades, the Federation staff and community leaders have met on Capitol Hill with elected officials across party lines to serve our diverse Jewish community. We are committed to continuing this critical work and look forward to helping our country deliver on its promise of opportunity in any way we can.

National Council of Young Israel

We strongly condemn the attack on our nation’s capital and the unlawful occupation of the U.S. Capitol Building, which is a striking symbol of American democracy. While peaceful protests are an essential element of our country’s democratic framework, the violent protests and wanton attacks that we witnessed today are deplorable and a dangerous assault on the very foundation upon which this nation is built. Law and order are critical components of this country’s very existence, and those individuals who breached the Capitol doors and illicitly entered the building in a blatant and deliberate attempt to sow chaos and serve as a disruptive force should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We appreciate the efforts of the Capitol Police and other law enforcement personnel who endeavored to turn back the protestors and ensure the safety of our federal lawmakers in the face of a serious and significant threat.

Furthermore, we denounce the recent attacks that took place at the homes of Members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, whose residences were vandalized by individuals protesting their political positions. Targeting the private homes of public figures and defacing them is a cowardly act that is beyond the pale, and no lawmaker, irrespective of their political party or ideology, deserves to be subject to such despicable behavior.

Ohio Jewish Communities

Ohio Jewish Communities echoes the sentiments of every member of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation as well as Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, Attorney General Yost, Auditor Faber, Treasurer Sprague, Secretary LaRose, Senate President Huffman, Speaker Cupp, State GOP Chair Timken, and so many state legislators. This is not the way of peaceful protest but a foundational assault on our Republic. As a Jewish community we are all too aware where such lawlessness and disregard for life and property - no matter the underlying political affiliation or ideological beliefs - ends.

We agree with Governor DeWine who called this “an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear,” as well as Auditor Faber who said, “Mob violence has only one end: anarchy.”

We are grateful for the US Capitol Police, the US Secret Service, the DC National Guard, and the other law enforcement and emergency response professionals who protected our elected officials today, while defending democracy and its institutions. We do not often think of the sacrifices they make and the dangers they face each day. But today, in an hour of national crisis, these true patriots answered the call.

As we do each Sabbath, we pray for Heaven’s guidance and protection of our nation’s leaders.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Reflecting on the appalling attack on the US Capitol and our democracy, the Museum recalls the special significance of that building for Holocaust survivors. Since 1979, survivors, World War II liberators, and government officials have gathered in the Capitol during the Days of Remembrance to commemorate both the six million European Jews murdered in the Holocaust and the courage of the American soldiers who sacrificed so much to defeat Nazism.

The US Congress mandated this annual ceremony, which is held in the Capitol precisely because of its symbolism as the heart of our democracy. That this sacred space was desecrated, including by some individuals displaying neo-Nazi, antisemitic, and white supremacist symbols, several of which glorified the Holocaust, is an affront to all who cherish democracy and those who work to protect it and advance the freedom and dignity of all individuals.

For Holocaust survivors, who have gathered annually for decades in the Capitol to commemorate the past and who deeply love this nation, this was especially painful. As our founding chairman, Elie Wiesel, said many years ago, “[W]e must remember for our own sake, for the sake of our own humanity.” Those words resonate even more powerfully today.

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