Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano Reacts To Capitol Riots

PARSIPPANY, NJ — As a violent pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, forced lawmakers into hiding and wreaked havoc on government property, local New Jersey leaders were quick to weigh in on the chaos — including Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano.

"I pray for the safety of our law enforcement personnel, federal officials, and those in the vicinity of the Capitol Building. This is a sad day in our country’s history," the mayor said on his official Facebook page.

The president gave his supporters a boost into action Wednesday morning at a rally outside the White House, where he urged them to march to the Capitol. He spent much of the afternoon in his private dining room off the Oval Office watching scenes of the violence on television. At the urging of his staff, he issued a pair of tweets and a taped video telling his supporters it was time to “go home in peace” — yet he still said he backed their cause.

SEE ALSO:

• 'It's Disgusting': Morristown Mayor Speaks Out On Capitol Riots
• 'Attack On Democracy:' NJ Congress Reps Shelter, Decry DC Riots

Meanwhile, President-elect Biden, two weeks away from being inaugurated, said American democracy was “under unprecedented assault, ” a sentiment echoed by many in Congress, including some Republicans. Former President George W. Bush said he watched the events in “disbelief and dismay.”

Ultimately, Congress confirmed Democrat Joe Biden as the presidential election winner early Thursday.

Trump, who had repeatedly refused to concede the election, said in a statement immediately after Biden's confirmation that there will be a smooth transition of power on Inauguration Day.

“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th,” Trump said in a statement posted to Twitter by an aide.

After the chaos ended, CNN reported that four people were left dead — including a woman who police said was part of a crowd that broke down the doors to a barricaded room where armed officers stood on the other side. She was shot in the chest by Capitol Police and taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Three other people died from medical emergencies during the long protest on and around the Capitol grounds.

AP News contributed to this report.

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