UP Gazette

A recent violent protest at the U.S. Capitol, in opposition to the confirmation of President-elect Joe Biden, has led to calls from both sides of the political aisle for President Donald Trump and his supporters to tone down their rhetoric regarding claims that the election was stolen through fraud.

The Michigan Freedom Fund, self-described as “committed to the principles of limited government, transparency in government and the freedoms found in the Constitution,” posted a statement to its website calling for Trump and fellow Republicans who have claimed election fraud to speak out against continued opposition to former Vice President Joe Biden’s election.

Tony Daunt, Freedom Fund executive director, called the riot at the Capitol Building “heartbreaking” and said that the perpetrators were a “lawless mob.”

U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer | LinkedIn

“The President and these officials bear an outsized responsibility today to de-escalate the violence, restore order at the U.S. Capitol and to hold their supporters criminally responsible for their assault on our republic,” Daunt said, according to Michigan Freedom Fund's website. “They must take this responsibility seriously and do so immediately.”

U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Twp.) was in the Capitol during the violent takeover, according to Bridge Michigan. He was sheltering in place in the office of fellow Michigan representative Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly).

"I've experienced a lot of tear gas," Levin told Bridge Michigan. "But I did not expect as a member of Congress to have people try to violently interrupt the workings of our democracy. It's a super sad day.”

U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Grand Rapids) took to Twitter to condemn the continued opposition to the November election results, demanding that Trump acknowledge Biden as the the winner of the election.

“Unacceptable. Enough,” Meijer posted to Twitter. “Acknowledge Biden as President-Elect and end this madness. Violent rioters laid siege to the nation’s Capitol in an act of insurrection unparalleled in modern times. This is not leadership.”