'He Lit The Flame': Rep. Fitzpatrick Denounces Trump

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The congressional representative for Bucks County strongly denounced President Trump's actions following the violence at the capitol that erupted Wednesday as Congress certified the Electoral College votes for President-elect Joe Biden.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican who represents the 1st congressional district, was one of hundreds of members of Congress who were evacuated when supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol building.

"What happened today was nothing short of a coup attempt," Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick tweeted Wednesday night. "The President of the United States has been lying to his supporters with false information and false expectations. He lit the flame of incitement and owns responsibility for this."

What happened today was nothing short of a coup attempt. The President of the United States has been lying to his supporters with false information and false expectations. He lit the flame of incitement and owns responsibility for this. (1/3)
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (@RepBrianFitz) January 7, 2021

Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican, has been a cautious supporter of Trump but has not publicly questioned the election results.

Joining Republican Sen. Pat Toomey, he parted ways with his Republican colleagues who voted against the certification of Pennsylvania's electors on Wednesday. His statement on Wednesday night is his most scathing critique of the outgoing president to date.

"The rioters who stormed the Capitol today are criminals and thugs who should all be in jail," he said. "Our Country is better than this. The election is over. We must allow for the peaceful transition of power to now take place and come together to rebuild conference in our democracy."

Fitzpatrick went on to praise the actions of law enforcement officers who worked to quell the calamity. At least 14 officers were injured during Wednesday's events, the New York Times reported.

Sen. Toomey called Wednesday's actions "an absolute disgrace," while Gov. Tom Wolf said the riots amounted to an attempted coup.

"Republicans from Pres. Trump to PA legislative leaders need to stop the disinformation and tell their supporters the truth before there's further violence," Gov. Wolf tweeted.

See more coverage:

• Trump Mob Attacks Capitol; 4 Deaths; 30 Arrests; FBI Seeks Tips
• Late-Night Chaos Erupts As Congress Debates PA Electoral Vote
• 'Deeply Saddened', Rep. Dean Is Safe, Evacuated From U.S. Capitol
• 'Absolute Disgrace': Toomey, Other PA ;Reps Shelter Amid DC Riots

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter.