FCC Commissioners Among Those Condemning Violence at Capitol

FCC members condemned violence erupting on Capitol Hill by pro-Trump forces Wednesday. And now two FCC GOP members have explicitly acknowledged that, contrary to President Donald Trump's wishes, Joe Biden is slated to become the next president in a few weeks. See our news bulletin here. Before recent days, those commissioners were largely silent on the issue.

Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr condemned the violence at the U.S. Capitol in an interview Wednesday and said the country faces many challenges. "President-elect Biden is going to take office Jan. 20, and I look forward to working with my colleagues," he said. Carr previously declined to comment on Biden's title (see 2011180064).

Outgoing Chairman Ajit Pai tweeted that "law and order must be restored." He was referring to the Capitol violence, an FCC spokesperson told us. Pai recognizes "there will be a new Administration and the Commission has been fully cooperating with the transition team" for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, the spokesperson emailed. Pai Tuesday recognized the administration switch will occur Jan. 20. See those remarks here and our report here. During a Center for Strategic and International Studies event Tuesday, Pai said that "we will soon hand the baton to a new administration ... and I hope that they succeed."

Former Commissioner Mike O'Rielly, also a Republican, told us it's "shameful and dangerous" for protesters to illegally enter the Capitol. "Protesting is protected American speech, but this goes far, far out of bounds," O'Rielly said. "I pray my friends, our nation’s legislators, and everyone within the Capitol complex remains safe and healthy." Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat and likely front-runner for the next chair, tweeted that Wednesday was a "sad day" and prayed for everyone's safety. Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Republican Nathan Simington didn't comment.

In the area around the Capitol starting around 2:30 p.m. EST, we heard and saw an abundance of emergency vehicles going in every direction. Inside the building, some reporters, including one of our own, were trying to stay safely away from any protesters intent on violence. In the area where our journalist was sheltering in the Capitol, a Capitol Police officer offered escorts to anyone wanting to decamp to the Cannon House office building. The voicemail for the Capitol Police was full, and our email query wasn't answered.

Biden called the violence an "insurrection" and saying it "borders on sedition." He urged Trump to "step up" and "go on national television now to fulfill his oath, defend the constitution, [and] demand an end to this siege." Biden didn't take questions after his remarks. Trump posted a video on Twitter minutes later, urging his supporters to go home: "We can't play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace." Trump repeated his fraudulent claim he had won the election.

The clerk for U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit told us that based on recommendations Sunday from the U.S. Marshals Service, Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan and U.S. District Court in Washington Chief Judge Beryl Howell closed the Prettyman Federal Courthouse through Thursday, with judges and court staff teleworking. The Circuit Court told us both courts will conduct oral arguments remotely the rest of this week. It said the courts are awaiting a Marshals Service recommendation about whether the courthouse should be closed Friday.

Former NARUC President Brandon Presley called the scenes in Washington "horrifying," saying "silence is complicit at this point for anyone who nibbles around the edges." NAB is "saddened and disheartened by the actions unfolding in our nation's capital," said CEO Gordon Smith. "To the journalists risking their lives to bring this unprecedented scene to Americans across the nation, stay safe and vigilant.” For more on such risks, see our previous reports on covering racial justice protests, including here.

“The coup attempt initiated by outgoing President Trump has been despicable,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James (D). “Today, it became violent. If blood is shed, it will be on his hands. These actions, fueled by lies and wild conspiracy theories espoused by President Trump, must be unequivocally condemned."