BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — As chaos was erupting outside the United States Capitol, Western New York Congressman Chris Jacobs was inside, listening to the debate on certifying specific states.
“I was in the chamber listening to both sides,” Jacobs said.
That's when members of congress say they received word protesters had breached security.
“It was a day like no other,” he said.
Congressman Jacobs cast his vote not to certify election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania. He says his decision was based, in part by the questions many still have about how the election was carried out in key battleground states.
“There’s been a lot of questions about election integrity, but I was going in terms of my constitutional role. When you look at the Constitution of the United States, it gives specific power to state legislators to control, run and dictate the terms of elections in their states. There were several states, where, outside actors dramatically changed the rules of the road so to speak two weeks out, one week out on how elections would be run,” he said.
It’s a decision he says he does not regret.
“It’s ironic that people are criticizing this because the objection is very common,” he said. “For the last three Republican presidents that have been elected, democrats have objected just wanting to have discussion on an issue in that state.”
Many are saying President Trump incited violence on Wednesday. Some, like democratic Assemblyman Patrick Burke say Collins and anyone who objected election results should resign.
“This is the time now to declare what side you’re on,” Burke said. “I’m on the side of the United States, and Chris Jacobs is on the side of Donald Trump no matter what.”
“I was conducting my constitutional obligation, and I disagree that I had any role in violence,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs says he condemns the violence. When asked if President Trump should have condemned the acts at the Capitol sooner, Jacobs said, “The President called for a peaceful protest, a patriotic protest, but honestly I think he should have been more clear on the message that violence is not the way.”
Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins says he will assist in drawing up articles of impeachment for the President. To Jacobs’ objection he had this to say:
“How can you condemn the results of a presidential election and that very same process elected you?” he said. “It’s okay for you, but because you didn’t get who you wanted in the presidential election you want to say there was fraud and abuse.”
