In this image from video, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, speaks as the Senate reconvenes to debate the objection to confirm the Electoral College Vote from Arizona, after protesters stormed into the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Senate Television via AP)
SALT LAKE CITY — “It tears at your heart and brings tears to your eyes,” is what Senator Mitt Romney said about the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He told reporters afterward that he was grateful for the courage of the Capitol police officer who led him to safety that day.
“That was overwhelmingly distressing and emotional,” he added.
In a tweet the day of the attack on the Capitol, Sen. Romney condemned the events that took place.
Utah 1st District Representative Blake Moore (R-1) had only been sworn into office a day or two before the attack. The day after, he told KSL Newsradio’s Dave & Dujanovic about events as they unfolded.
Rep. Moore said he was listening to a debate in the House chamber when he started receiving text messages from his team about what was going on outside the building.
“After I knew there was a breach of the Capitol, we went back to discussion. Someone finished their remarks and then Capitol police rushed in and stood at each one of the doors,” Moore said.
“I think the most eerie time” he said, “was when you heard banging on the House chamber doors. They were literally right outside and you could just hear them banging on it, and that’s when they told us to get our gas masks because there was tear gas going through the hallways.”
All the members of Congress were able to escape the attack safely. Later in the day, both Sen. Romney and Rep. Moore came back into the Capitol and voted to certify Joe Biden’s election as President of the United States.
Sen. Romney released a statement about the attack on Thursday Jan. 6, 2022. The senator said, “Democracy is fragile; it cannot survive without leaders of integrity and character who care more about the strength of our Republic than about winning the next election.”