Today, Explained - The breach, explained by Rep. Maloney (locked in her office)

Episode Date: January 7, 2021

Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York explains what it was like to live through today’s violent transfer of power. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hi, you're talking to Representative Maloney. Representative Maloney, thank you for making time for us on a very difficult day. Thank you, Sean. It is a difficult, very difficult day. It's a threat to our democracy and an embarrassment to our country. And it was started and incited by the president of the United States. And for one branch to incite violence against another branch of government is unheard of in our country. I want to get into all of it with you.

Can you tell me just right off the bat where you are right now? Are you safe? I am safe. I am in my office in the Rayburn building. We were told to go to our for the United States Congress. And now, you know, several hours later, we're talking to you about how this has been an historic day for the United States Congress, but for a completely different reason. How do you feel right now? Oh, I'm devastated. I'm beyond belief at how horrible it is. I can't believe that this is happening in our country that honors our elections and the peaceful transfer of power. Like you said, it's a historic day for all the wrong reasons. It's an embarrassment. It is horrible. I never thought I would ever see this, that we could not conduct

our business. They completely disrupted the work of Congress. They scaled into the Capitol, smashing windows, took over the chambers, and I'm told now they've restored order. It's my hope that we return to the chamber, do our business, conduct our work, listen and have the debate, vote for President Biden, confirm the Electoral College vote for him so that we can square him into office on January 20th. What happened to you today?

What did you go to the Capitol building expecting, and what happened instead? I was expecting a debate over the issues. There are several senators, 12 I believe, that are objecting to the verification and the election of President Biden, I was expecting an orderly debate and an orderly vote. What happened instead, because of COVID, we can only have 11 Democrats on the floor at one time and 11 Republicans. I was watching the proceedings in my office. It all broke out in confusion.

They were pushing desks up against the doors to try to keep people from coming in. It looked like undercover officers protecting members and moving them out of the chambers, including Majority Leader Hoyer. Jim McGovern from Massachusetts was acting speaker. I am told that they are at an undisclosed place in the Capitol. I tried to reach them.

I am in the Rayburn building. There are roughly 30 members of Congress in their offices on this floor. Apparently, the invaders went into the Cannon Building, and the members and their staff left the Cannon Building and have come into the Rayburn and Longworth Building. There is announcement on the loudspeaker that all intruders should leave, because we now have a curfew in place at 6 o'clock that was put in place by the mayor of D.C. It looks like recruitments or more police kept coming in.

They would march in in precision. I can look out my window. There were thousands on the mall and in front of the Capitol protesting. At times you would see a great deal of smoke going up. I don't know what kind of weapon that was. I understand many people have been arrested and order is being restored. I am beyond shocked. I cannot believe that this is happening in our country. It is absolutely horrible.

It is not the values of America that respects law and order, respects the peaceful transfer of power that has been a hallmark of our great country from our founding fathers on. This is shocking and disturbing beyond belief. It's like the Bastille Day. It's beyond shock. What did it feel like for you and for your colleagues and for your staff? Because watching the images on cable news, it feels like some of these insurrectionists, terrorists, rioters, I'm not sure what to call them right now, but it seemed like some of them had intent, were facing off against police officers. And then on the other hand, you saw some people laughing and taking selfies and running amok in the chambers. Oh, I can tell you it was like an insurrection. It was a takeover.

It was shocking to me. Since 9-11, I have participated in many Capitol Hill security drills that involved sheltering in place and putting on protective equipment. I have the protective equipment all over my desk, and I never thought I would have to use it. I never dreamed that I'd have to do it for real because of terrorism inspired by the President of the United States. And you had to use that equipment today? You had to use that gear today? No, I have it in case we need it.

I have it out on the table. Protective gear. We have tear gas masks. We have protective gear. I never thought I'd have to use it. And when the president went out and said everybody should go home, well, he's the one who started the problem. He called upon people to come to the Capitol and protest, and they did come and protest. And now he's telling them to leave, but he's the one who created this crisis by telling his supporters to go

to the Capitol and protest. It is sickening to me. It is heartbreaking to see this type of violence, really, and disrespect for our Capitol, for our institutions, for our values, for our elections, and for the time-honored value of the peaceful transfer of power. I mean, the main motivating factor here for all of these rioters who are staging this insurrection at the Capitol today is this idea that something was stolen from them, an idea planted by the President of the United States, but further enabled by so many of your colleagues in the House of Representatives

and even in the United States Senate. Have you spoken with any of them? Have you seen any of them today? And if not, what would you say to them today? I would say, call it off. Let's unify. Let's come together. Let's be Americans.

No one can defeat America when we come together. No one is stronger or better. This division is harmful. We have the votes. We have the votes. We have the proof. We have everything. We are going to certify this election for President Biden. I hope we do it tonight. I hope we go back into the Capitol. If the chambers are too insecure at this point, we can go to other rooms in the Capitol. Let's have the debate. Let's have the vote. And let's certify Joe Biden as our next president and move forward with the business of protecting Americans, helping America, making America stronger and more united, not divided and destructive as it is today. Yeah, I mean, that sounds really nice, but it seems like that's what President-elect Joe Biden

has been calling for since the day the major networks declared his victory. And it hasn't been very effective, has it? Do you think there will be consequences for what happened today, be it for the outgoing president, be it for the colleagues of yours who enabled and cheered on this kind of insurrection? For the insurrectionists themselves, who I think a lot of people are shocked to see, aren't being arrested, aren't being resisted by the many different police forces on the Capitol right now. Instead, they're being, you know, gently pushed back.

Well, we have secured the Capitol. Let's be positive. Let's have the Capitol secure. Let's go back in. Let's do our work. Let's ratify the votes. Let's elect Joe Biden our president. Let's move forward. Let's go forward. That's what I'm supporting at this time. I do know some people have been arrested, but they have maintained order now. The order has been maintained. I can look out my window at the Capitol, and the crowds have broken up. It looks like they're honoring the curfew that was put in place by the mayor of D.C. Let's hope that it's over and that we can go forward with the business of the people. Our Constitution calls for a vote of the Electoral College. That's why we are here today.

Let's vote. Let's ratify his election and move forward. Yeah. Do you feel like something was broken today, this endless, unbroken chain of the peaceful transfer of power? Do you think we lost that today in the United States? I am shocked by what happened today. It's horrible. I can't believe that it happened in America. It's always someplace else. It's not America. But America is being restored as we speak. They are bringing order back so that Congress can convene, debate, and vote, and move this country forward with President Biden. Okay. Representative Maloney, I really appreciate your time. Stay safe and thank you. Thank you.