Democratic leaders: Peaceful certification process should set example for years to come

 The Democratic leaders in the House and Senate said they hope that Monday’s peaceful certification of the election results sets an example for years to come.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reflected on the insurrection on January 6, 2021, when rioters broke into the Capitol to try to stop the certification process.

Schumer said he would not forget about that day because democracy at “certain times can be fragile,” adding, “we saw the fragility that day.”

“We are not election deniers. We lost the election, we regret it, but we believe in the strength of our democracy and that when you lose the election you roll up your sleeves and try to win the next one. You don’t deny that you lost and encourage people to do bad, bad things,” Schumer said.

The Senate Democratic leader also warned that President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to pardon people convicted of crimes related to insurrection would “set a terrible example.”

Jeffries called the events of the insurrection “unconscionable, unacceptable and un-American,” while thanking police and other law enforcement personnel who were there that day.

“Hopefully today the peaceful transfer of power will serve as the example of how we as a country should move forward,” Jeffries said.