Bucshon on Trump: “Words Matter…Leaders Shouldn’t Speak Like That”

WASHINGTON–The president’s words incited what eventually happened at the capitol, said Rep. Larry Bucshon, a Republican who represents southwest Indiana. Bucshon said that people who broke the law should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Bucshon, who did not vote to oppose electors, blamed the president for words used during Wednesday’s rally.

LISTEN: Rep. Larry Bucshon talks Capitol chaos

“We are going to the Capitol” to “try and give them the pride and boldness that they need to take back our country,” said Trump. Bucshon said he could not condone the rhetoric.

“They incited a riot. The president’s words were inappropriate and I think the president made a serious mistake by using those type of terms. It was taken literally,” said the Congressman. “Words matter. Leaders shouldn’t speak like that.”

Bucshon was in his office, which is in a building near the capitol, when the crowd was able to breach the barriers and get inside. He was there because of COVID restrictions.

“I was getting emergency alerts from the capitol police and they told us to secure in place. Honestly I was in my office all day until 7:30 p.m., Eastern time and only saw the events at the capitol on TV.”

But, that didn’t dampen his opinion about the seriousness of the threat.

“It wasn’t just a protest. It was an attempted insurrection to force the Congress to overturn an election they disagreed with.” That’s why Bucshon said he believes anyone who broke the law should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

“What we have to remember is one of our fellow citizens lost her life in the Capitol yesterday,” he said. But, the Congressman said he has no qualms about being in the building and doing his job now that the issue seems to be resolved.

He also said that he had not spoken to Vice Pres. Pence, who ran afoul of the president by telling Congress he had no authority to toss out the Electoral College results.

“But, I did send a message to one of his staff, telling him I’m behind him 1000 percent.,” he said. “I think he acted honorably, respectfully, professionally and like a leader should act.”

As for whether Pence should invoke the 25th Amendment and try to have Trump removed from office, as some people were calling for Thursday morning, Bucshon said “We’ll have to see how that plays out.”