Washington, DC – Greg Regan, secretary-treasurer of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), issues this statement condemning the breach of the U.S. Capitol building earlier today:
“At the urging of President Trump, America’s democracy came under direct attack by a mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol and threatened the lives of the Vice President, the Vice President-elect, members of the House and Senate, law enforcement personnel, and congressional employees. This is Donald Trump’s legacy playing out in real time on national television.
“It is the tragic, but natural conclusion to four years of leadership by a president who put his own financial, legal, and personal wellbeing squarely before the needs of the nation at every turn. A president who peddled in conspiracy theories and lies, rather than a respect for the power of his office and the citizens it serves.
“With all the extraordinary challenges this country is currently facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, nothing could be more important than the peaceful transfer of power and the stable leadership this country deserves.
“Throughout the 2020 election cycle, American workers laid their lives on the line in service to this nation. Despite the unprecedented threats to their health and livelihoods, they still found the time and courage to make calls, knock on doors, and fight for change, the way democracy has always unfolded in America. We will not allow the voice of an unhinged president and his angry mob to upend their work and threaten our democracy.
“Transportation labor calls on Vice President Pence and Republican Congressional leaders to show leadership where President Trump has refused. They must right this ship so that congress and the President-elect can get back to the job of governing and solving the horrific health and economic crisis that has loomed over our country for the past 10 months.”