Response from Ohio officials to today's attack on the U.S. Capitol and the Ohio Statehouse has largely condemned the violence playing out on TV and social media.
Ohio Governor Mike Dewine, a Republican who chaired Donad Trump's campaign effort in Ohio issued a statement that called the attack "an embarrassment" that must end immediately.
"The stopping of the count of the Electoral College has occurred because the security of the U.S. Capitol has been breached by a violent mob. As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable. This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear. Those who breached the Capitol breached the Constitution."
Republican Representative from Ohio Jim Jordan, an outspoken Trump supporter, who announced he would protest the certification of the Electoral College vote this afternoon tweeted simply: "Stop the Violence. Support Capitol Police"
Jane Timken, head of the Ohio Republican Party also took to Twitter: "As Americans we have the right to redress our grievances but not with violence. What's happening in the Capitol is wrong and not the way forward."
But Democrat Emilia Sykes, Minority Leader in the Ohio House of Representatives shot back: "You wanted the glory. Now you take the blame."
Meanwhile, in Columbus, a couple dozen demonstrators, some of them armed, were at the Statehouse today to protest the certification of President Elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win. They were carrying and wearing Trump flags, and displaying pro-Trump signs. Some of the protestors were wearing gear and carrying flags clearly identifying themselves as members of the Proud Boys, a far right organization that has been involved in violent demonstrations around the country.
At least one counter protestor who came across High Street to confront them was beaten by some of the Proud Boys and other protestors.
