WASHINGTON (KMTV) – Rep. Jeff Fortenberry says he was in his office when the situation inside the Capitol building became unsafe.
In a Zoom interview from his office, overlooking the south lawn of the Capitol, Fortenberry said he could see people moving on to the stairs of the Capitol and then watched as TV as it got violent inside the building.
He says those inside the Capitol are undermining the democratic principles of America.
"Turning this into violent protests and taking over public buildings and creating dangerous situations are undermining our democracy, undermining our very right,” Fortenberry said. “So good people need to get away from here and give police a chance to secure it from those fools who are creating such a threatening environment."
Fortenberry called what he was experiencing surreal, and that he believed police was offering prudential judgment, not wanting to get into harm’s way.
Fortenberry said he spoke with Rep. Adrian Smith of western Nebraska and that Smith is safe, but stuck in the Capitol basement because he was not in his office at the time the protesters broke in.
Watch our full interview with Fortenberry at the top of the page.
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