LGBTQ Leaders Respond to US Capitol Chaos

LGBTQ leaders are responding to the terrifying events that unfolded yesterday at the Capitol building as Congress gathered to count Electoral College votes.

Thousands of protesters, provoked by President Donald Trump's words as well as those of his closest allies, such as Rudy Giuliani, who called for "trial by combat", breached security with some breaking into the building itself in acts of reckless vandalism and insurrection.

In response to the violent disruption, Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings issued the following statement:

"At the core of our work at Lambda Legal is the belief that the United States is a nation committed to the rule of law. Today's unprecedented events are a betrayal of that fundamental American commitment, and any pretense to "patriotism" on the part of those who committed today's acts of desecration of the temple of democracy that is our Capitol building are blasphemous. Our democratic processes must be defended, and we call upon our leaders to utilize any and all processes available to them, including the 25th Amendment, to ensure an orderly transition of power in accordance with the will of the American people as expressed freely at the ballot box in November."

The National LGBTQ Task Force and National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund went further, calling for the removal of Donald Trump under the 25th Amendment.

"Donald Trump has been, continues to be, and will remain a threat to democracy, the U.S. Constitution, and human life every day he remains in office. While his attempted coup has failed, he and his supporters are a threat to democracy and will be as long as he is in power," said executive director Rea Carey.

"The National LGBTQ Task Force and National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund calls for the immediate removal of Donald Trump under the 25th Amendment.

"Even if today were January 19th, the time left in Trump's term would be too long. If Donald Trump were to stay in office for a mere 24 hours it would be too long and too risky. If Trump is able to make one more call to the Acting Secretary of Defense, it would be one call too many. If Trump is able to push through one more regulation, it would be one too many. He abandoned his post and responsibility long ago, and we have watched in horror with each swing of his golf club, as more Americans die.

"For his entire administration, and especially today, he has rhetorically spat on the right of assembly and free speech by inciting violence as Congress today fulfills its duty to certify the election. The domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol today was not merely incited by Trump but orchestrated and organized by Trump and his enablers using misinformation, lies and conspiracy theories.

"Trump has desecrated the memories of generations before us who, even when abused by the very country they loved, resolved to make it better, to leave a better country for their children and grandchildren. Americans have suffered his abuse of power and his practice of tyranny for far too long, and his delusional display of narcissistic coup fantasies have thankfully fallen short.

"We condemn the violence in Washington, DC and in communities across the country that has been incited by today's attack on the Capitol building. We are better than this. To move forward, we must begin by making the strongest statement possible and remove Trump from office using the power of the 25th amendment," Carey concluded.