Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the riots in D.C. as unacceptable.
“It doesn’t matter what banner you’re flying under, the violence is wrong,” said DeSantis, “The rioting and disorder is wrong. We’re not going to tolerate it in Florida. I hope even now we would get more support for my legislation because it’s something that needs to be done.”
Four people died as protesters violently breached and occupied the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee said those who died included a woman who was shot by Capitol Police, as well as three others who died in medical emergencies. The woman was shot earlier Wednesday as the mob tried to break through a barricaded door in the Capitol where police were armed on the other side. She was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and later died.
Family members identified the woman as 35-year-old Ashli Elizabeth Babbitt, a San Diego resident and Air Force Veteran.
“In September, I was the first governor in the country to propose legislation to really deal with some of the disorder and violent assemblies and rioting we have seen in our country. I thought that you needed to have strong penalties and I 100% support people’s right to be able to get together and protest and say what’s on their minds,” said DeSantis.
“The minute that crosses over, I think there need to be penalties. I think what you saw yesterday is a good example of taking a rally and having certain views and then going to storm the Capitol like it was done was totally unacceptable, and those folks need to be held accountable.”