NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Flags in Tennessee will fly at half-staff until Wednesday to honor the service and sacrifice of Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood.
NewsChannel 5 spoke to Congressman Jim Cooper about the Capitol riot and his experience barricading inside his office. He and his Chief of Staff Lisa Quigley remained locked in until it was safe for the electoral certification to resume.
"Both of us are pretty experienced on Capitol Hill. We've seen a lot. We've seen countless protests but we've never seen a riot, much less an insurrection like this one. it very quickly got out of hand," Cooper explained.
He is one of 30 representatives who sent a letter to Vice President Pence urging him to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office.
"The difference now is the most blatant attack on the US capitol since the war of 1812, it was instigated on live Television by the President and by many of his minions; so this is a clearly different situation. This affects everyone and our democracy. It was live on TV. We all saw it. And my judgment is that the President should be removed from office," said Cooper.
The House impeachment vote could happen Wednesday. However, if it goes through, the country could see backlash from Trump supporters.
The FBI issued a warning saying there have been new threats of armed demonstrations ahead of the president-elect's inauguration. Officials say extremists are threatening to storm courthouses and state capitols if President Trump is removed from office early.
