Remove Trump, say Washington state lawmakers after mob riot

Shock, condemnation, and calls to remove President Trump from office, just two weeks before his term ends, are among the immediate reactions from Washington state's political leaders to Wednesday's insurrection in D.C.

At least five Washington state lawmakers are now calling for President Trump to be removed from office after a mob broke into the nation's capitol building, forcing lawmakers to lockdown and police to draw their guns. The capitol building was vandalized and some offices were looted. Four people died; one was shot by police, and four others suffered medical emergencies. A total of 14 police officers were injured, including one who was hospitalized after the mob reportedly pulled him into the crowd and assaulted him. Many point to Trump's words to the crowd ahead of the incident and place blame with the president.

Democrat Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Susan Del Bene, Derek Kilmer, Rick Larsen and Senator Patty Murray want the 25th Amendment to be invoked, which details procedures to replace the president if they are unable to fulfil their duties or are unfit. The vice president would take over.

“The insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol today should be held fully accountable for their actions under the law. So should the President," Sen. Murray stated shortly after the incident at the nation's capitol.

"The most immediate way to ensure the President is prevented from causing further harm in coming days is to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove him from office. As history watches, I urge Vice President Pence and the President’s cabinet to put country before party and act.”

RELATED: What Washington's lawmakers said amid riot at nation's capitol

After the riot at the capitol, President Trump issued a statement committing to a peaceful transition of power. But elected officials in Washington and beyond want him out now. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer have both called for Trump's removal since the riot on Wednesday.

“I frankly believe that he has shown himself unfit for office for several years now, and today's chapter is just another episode in what has been four years of demonstrating unfitness for office,” Rep. Kilmer said Wednesday, adding that President Trump "owns this. He riled them up and gave them false information. And I think it's his responsibility to make this stop.”

Closer to home, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan stated via Twitter that "Our delegation is right. His actions have proved that he is not fit to serve, command our military or have the nuclear codes. The cabinet and Congress must act to remove him immediately."

Northwest News Network's Austin Jenkins reports that Gov. Jay Inslee also favors removing Trump from office.

Not all called for the 25th Amendment or removal of President Trump from office. Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Vancouver condemned the violence but didn’t mention an ouster.

“We barricaded the door with historic furniture. I thought I'd never see this day. We were under siege. That's exactly what happened in the capitol today,” Herrera Beutler said, adding that people shouldn't feel angry or fearful about what happened, rather heartbroken.

Eastern Washington Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers had said she would vote in favor of objections to election results before Wednesday. After the violence, she said she changed her mind and places responsibility with President Trump:

“What happened today and continues to unfold in the nation’s capital is disgraceful and un-American. Thugs assaulted Capitol Police Officers, breached and defaced our Capitol Building, put people’s lives in danger, and disregarded the values we hold dear as Americans.

“To anyone involved, shame on you. We must have a peaceful transfer of power. The only reason for my objection was to give voice to the concern that governors and courts unilaterally changed election procedures without the will of the people and outside of the legislative process.

“I have been consistent in my belief that Americans should utilize the Constitutional tools and legal processes available to seek answers to their questions about the 2020 election. What we have seen today is unlawful and unacceptable. I have decided I will vote to uphold the Electoral College results and I encourage Donald Trump to condemn and put an end to this madness.”

The former chair of Washington State's Republican Party was participating in the rally outside the capitol building on Wednesday. Susan Hutchison says she was on the far end of the capitol lawn, and reports that the demonstrations were peaceful where she was located.

"It was very peaceful outside as people milled around and carried their flags," Hutchison said. "Now that I’ve seen what took place inside, I am shocked and really profoundly saddened and angry."

Hutchison was one of Trump's early supporters in Washington state. She says she does not believe the president incited the insurrection at the capitol building.

Former Washington gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp said the "violence I’m seeing on the news tonight makes me sick," but further argued that protests against the election have been peaceful. Culp is a Republican who lost the election to Governor Jay Inslee in November. Like President Trump, Culp has refused to concede and has alleged voter fraud is the reason he lost the election. He has since sued Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who is also a Republican.