These acts of insurrection cannot stand. All Americans must condemn them.

“In light of the horrific attack yesterday on our nation's Capitol, it is incumbent on every American to condemn these actions. I condemn them in the strongest terms.

I also believe we must find in this chaos an opportunity to come back together as a nation. Many Washingtonians have deep concerns and frustrations about current events, but we must resist violence as a means to air them. We have more in common as Americans than we have differences.

Here in the Evergreen State, the threat to our capitol campus and attack on the governor's mansion are equally unacceptable. It is a fundamental tenet of democracy that our leaders can meet in safety to debate important issues.

The restrictions we have faced because of the pandemic have compounded the stresses that naturally accompany the transfer of power from one party to another. Nonetheless, we must never forget that our fellow Americans fought and died to defend our democracy, and the right we all share to come together peacefully for our common good. It has been so for nearly 250 years – it must be so in the future.” – State Auditor Pat McCarthy