AAPI lawmakers shelter in place, anger against Trump mounts

SCREEN CAPTURE / MSNBC

Radical insurgents break into the Capitol building.

Jan. 6, 2021 is a day that will live in infamy and shame. The rioters broke into the Capitol building where lawmakers were confirming the electoral votes of last November's election.

Asian American and Pacific Islander members of Congress reacted to the unprecedented coup attempt.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth had to pause to collect herself before continuing her emotional speech lambasting the "tinhorn dictator," Donald Trump.

"This assault on our nation’s Capitol is a coup attempt and all those involved should be prosecuted as such," wrote Rep. Ted Lieu, D-CA. "Also, for those Dems saying we shouldn’t impeach @realDonaldTrump again? You are wrong."

Once Vice President Mike Pence was whisked away by Secret Service in the middle of the Senate debate, Lieu tweeted, "Now is the time for @VP @Mike_Pence to start the 25th Amendment process."

The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows the vice president and a majority of Cabinet secretariesto declare Trump "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office" in writing and remove him from office.

Trump could also be impeached again, which requires a simple majority of the House and two-thirds of the Senate for removal.

Lawmakers in the Capitol tweeted their responses after assuring their families that they were safe:

“The assault of the Capitol was the direct result of a Republican party that has been willing to indulge white supremacy and conspiracy theories throughout the Trump Presidency," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-CA, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

"The repeated attempts to undermine confidence in our elections – even after yesterday’s siege ended – are irresponsible and reprehensible. It is beyond tragic that a life was lost yesterday (Jan. 6), ending America’s proud history of bloodless transfers of power. This should have been avoided. Yet over half the House Republicans voted to reverse the outcome of this election and some are spreading lies about who was responsible."

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.