Rep. Jake Auchincloss: Congress Will Not Be Intimidated

NEWTON, MA — On his first day on the job U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss was among the legislators in the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday required to go on lockdown, when rioters broke windows and forced their way into the building, calling it a result of the president's temper-tantrum.

“This is what a temper-tantrum by the most powerful person in the country looks like,” said Auchincloss. “It’s shameful and pathetic, and we’re not going to let it define or derail our democracy."

Auchincloss told Patch in a phone interview Wednesday night that he blames Trump for the day of destruction and violence.

"We need to reflect that for the first time in our country we have failed to have a peaceful transfer of power," Auchincloss said, calling on republicans to stand up to what he called a "cult."

Four people died and 50 were arrested after rioters breached the Capitol Wednesday, according to several reports. Photos from inside the building show rioters in the House Chamber and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's office, and security ushering out the legislators. Tear gas was also seen coming from the front of the building where some rioters climbed balconies and what is to be the inauguration stage when Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

The protests were calm enough earlier in the day that Auchincloss was able to go out of the building for lunch around 12:30 p.m. with no problem. It wasn’t until later, he said, while he was waiting for his wave of legislators to be called down to do certifying, that the protests turned “sinister” he said and he and his staff were told to go into lock-down.

It was Auchincloss's first day on the job after being sworn over the weekend to represent Massachusetts 4th District, which stretches from Newton and Brookline to Attleboro and Fall River.

“This is not going to intimidate Congress from doing its constitutional job,” he said. "It’s a dark day for democracy, but it’s not going to define our democracy."

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will become the next president and vice president, he said.

"And 2021 is going to be a better year than 2020," he added.

More Patch Coverage: 'This Is Anarchy': MA Lawmakers Speak Amid Chaos At Capitol Hill

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.