Yesterday, armed Trump supporters attacked the Capitol and disrupted the certification of the presidential election results. This was an act of terrorism and an assault on our democracy.

 

This was not a protest; this was disorder, chaos, and sedition intended to suppress the voices of American voters and overturn the outcome of a legitimate election. Young Women for US condemns the violence of these insurrectionists and the racism that motivated their actions. We also condemn the glaring double standard exhibited by the law enforcement officials yesterday in comparison to their violent response to peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors this summer.

 

The insurrectionists must be held legally responsible for their actions, but they are not the only people involved in this failed coup. President Trump, Republican members of Congress, and Republican pundits fueled their animosity for years. They propagated lies about the election and refused to certify the results, and they are undeniably complicit and must also be held accountable for their role in subverting our democracy.

 

We are calling on Vice President Pence and the Cabinet to immediately invoke the 25th amendment or for members of Congress to reconvene to impeach and remove President Trump from office. From the very beginning, Trump has spread hateful rhetoric, consisting of false claims and racist statements that ultimately culminated in insurrection. He has betrayed his oath, not to mention the trust of the American people. Donald Trump is not fit to hold office.