Rep. Mikie Sherrill, during a live webcast Tuesday evening, said she witnessed some members of Congress leading people through the Capitol on Jan. 5 in what she termed a "reconnaissance for the next day" when insurrectionists took part in a deadly siege on the legislative branch.
During the Facebook Live, Sherrill (D-11, Montclair) addressed her constituents to explain why she voted for a resolution to ask Vice President Mike Pence to remove President Donald Trump from office by invoking the 25th Amendment. That measure was defeated, but Sherill said she intends to support an article of impeachment against Trump for "incitement of insurrection."
But after laying out her many reasons for seeking Trump's removal, she moved on to those of her congressional colleagues who, she said, "abetted" his attempt to overturn the results of the election and undermine democracy through a violent mob.
"I'm going to see they are held accountable, and if necessary, ensure that they don't serve in Congress," she said, speaking sedately, but severely.
Sherrill's commentary on her colleagues is below: We cant have a democracy if members of Congress are actively helping the president overturn the elections results. And so not only do I intend to see that the president is removed and never runs for office again and doesnt have access to classified material, I also intend to see that those members of Congress who abetted him; those members of Congress who had groups coming through the Capitol that I saw on Jan. 5 a reconnaissance for the next day; those members of Congress that incited this violent crowd; those members of Congress that attempted to help our president undermine our democracy; I'm going to see they are held accountable, and if necessary, ensure that they don't serve in Congress.
Sherrill did not specify if the "groups" were Trump supporters nor detail what took place during the "reconnaissance." The term refers to an exploratory mission for the purpose of gaining information.
A call to Sherill was not immediately returned late Tuesday evening.
The military reference was accompanied by other strong words from Sherill, as she rebuked politicians who she said are opposed to the core values of American democracy.
"For all of those who refuse to participate in this democracy, refuse to see power turned over peacefully, who refuse to heed the will of the people, as we do in a democracy" Sherrill said, "we are now on different sides of this line."
The newly re-elected member of the house reserved also took on the authorities charged with defending the Capitol, in particular those who now face charges for their alleged involvement in the mayhem.
"We can't have a democracy if too many members of our police and our military are acting to overturn it and undermine it," Sherrill said.