Freshman Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said Thursday she was "disgusted" by the violence that took place in the Capitol, and she thinks President Donald Trump's executive order for strict penalties against people who deface monuments and government buildings should come into play against the rioters.
"There is no more sacred building than the United States Capitol," the New York Republican said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends," while praising the Capitol Police for doing an "amazing job" of evacuating lawmakers to a secure area.
Malliotakis also said she does believe Vice President Mike Pence did what he was required to do during the certification proceedings for the Electoral College votes for Joe Biden, even though she was one of those who voted against certifying the electors in two states.
"I have serious concerns about what occurred," she said. "There are a number of irregularities and number of changes made that many people believe led to fraud. Yesterday was our opportunity to discuss them, to debate them, and to ensure that we had our voices heard. Those who we represent who are very concerned about the process ... the evidence was never heard due to deadlines. That's why you are seeing so much frustration and why you had tens of thousands of Americans come to the capital yesterday."
Malliotakis, though, said she denounces the violence that occurred and is especially against such acts against law enforcement officials.
"Being in that chamber at that moment when the Capitol Police had rushed in, you know, they told us to reach for our gas masks," she said. "Earlier in the day, there were bomb threats. My office building had been evacuated as well."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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