The joint congressional session to nationally certify President-elect Joe Biden's victory over outgoing President Donald Trump was thrown into chaos today after pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol just after Trump encouraged them to "fight" for him there.
Deluded by Trump's months-long smear campaign against the integrity of United States elections, the supporters infiltrated the Senate floor and the offices of multiple lawmakers including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Vice President Mike Pence, whom the President denounced on Twitter minutes before, was forced to evacuate to a secure location within the Capitol.
Tear gas was deployed inside the building, an improvised explosive device was found on the grounds, and a female Trump supporter was shot and killed by law enforcement reportedly as she began to climb onto the ledge of a doorway in the Capitol.
It was the first time the Capitol was breached in over 200 years and the violent uprising against a constitutionally enshrined process represented one of the darker days in American history.
But one host on the conservative Fox News network is facing backlash for praising the supporters, calling the breach of the capitol a "huge victory" for them.
Watch below.
Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum calls a MAGA mob storming the Capitol building and threatening Congress as a "huge victory for these protesters." pic.twitter.com/SyhtlCHvkw
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) January 6, 2021
Fox News host Martha MacCallum said:
"I was under the assumption [lawmakers] would be safe in the chamber, that was before we realized people had breached the building and were walking through the rotunda. Obviously, this is a huge victory for these protesters. They have disrupted the system in an enormous way."
The comments were roundly decried on Twitter.
Disgusting. Extremists have violently breached the Capitol and are firing into the House Chamber & Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum calls the violent terrorism “a huge victory for these protesters."
pic.twitter.com/LgP3kdNTPl
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) January 6, 2021
It is a huge loss for the United States of America. How disgusting and irresponsible. https://t.co/JEOLOX2tQT
— Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) January 6, 2021
This is a troubling word choice. https://t.co/yMDwBgYUBx
— Naomi Shapiro (@superdumb) January 6, 2021
No words. https://t.co/ueLvmOn9hw
— Peter FitzSimons (@Peter_Fitz) January 6, 2021
disgraceful calling this a victory. https://t.co/JsB09tyPk1
— Shawn Michael Medina (@shawn_medina) January 6, 2021
Many saw MacCallum's praise as an indictment of the entire, infamously right-wing network.
Fox justifying unjustifiable violence against democratic system. Appalling! https://t.co/o2nIhkmOkf
— Antony (Tony) Walker (@tonywalker1) January 6, 2021
"Good job, insurrectionists!" - Fox News https://t.co/NG15DFAkLT
— David Salisbury (@steakfromwv) January 6, 2021
Fox News needs to go. Now. https://t.co/XJ3JLHfkXn
— FurBearingMammal (@FurryVarmint) January 6, 2021
Fair and balanced, right? https://t.co/1FGm1cg3vS
— Gillian Pensavalle (@GillianWithaG) January 6, 2021
The Capitol remains on lockdown, but lawmakers have expressed determination to finish the certification tonight.
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AMC