I am appalled by the storming of the Capitol and the violent attack on the U.S. Congress and its members by armed insurrectionists of the pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” movement, who intended to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College vote through coercion and political violence.

I am glad to hear that my Congressional representatives have signed on to the Articles of Impeachment against President Trump for Incitement of Insurrection and Abuse of Power. I urge members of the House of Representatives to proceed with Impeachment in order to severely censure President Trump’s illegal incitement of violence and to ban him from holding office at any point in the future.

This form of political violence represents an act of rebellion against the legitimate representative government of the United States of America and must not be allowed to stand as a precedent.

President Trump, any members of Congress who colluded with him, and the insurrectionists should all be prosecuted to the full extent of federal and state laws on treason and sedition. The culture of impunity that has encouraged and allowed these acts of political violence must end.

I appreciate the active engagement of the Senators and many Representatives of Illinois in pursuing vigorously abusers of power and violent extremists.