January 14, 2021
Washington, D.C.
Conservatives condemn the violent actions that took place at the United States Capitol last week. Our self-government is founded upon the rule of law, and violence as a form of protest is never acceptable. Unlike most Democrats, we condemned the violent actions of rioters over the summer. We condemn the recent violence with equal vigor.
But one thing is also clear: the actions of 8 Senators and 139 House members, including Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Ted Cruz, and many others, who intended to or did debate the certification of certain states’ 2020 electors is not, and never will be, tantamount to violence. The right and ability to object to electoral certification is written into the Constitution and housed in the procedural rights of those who represent us.
It is why Democrats in the House, and in one case, the Senate, rose to object to elections in 2001, 2005, and as recently as 2017. Those Democrats – which include currently sitting Reps. Clyburn, Davis, Grijalva, Hastings, Jackson-Lee, Lee, Pallone, Schakowsky, Thompson, and Waters– were not assigned motives of treason, or sedition, or violent overthrow of the government, and for good reason. Our representatives using the constitutional and procedural rights afforded to them as elected officials is not, by definition, an incitement to violence.
Our self-government exists to deliberate, debate, and resolve issues of consequence to the country. Exiling or in any way punishing those who try to use the bodies as they were intended – as national forums where voters see their concerns raised and considered in a democratic fashion – will diminish what has made our republic strong. It sets a precedent that foreshadows a dangerous disintegration of the consensus that has held us together: a respect for dissent, a vigorous but respectful airing of views, and peaceable resolution by democratic means.
Moreover, we reject opportunistic attempts by some to use last week’s events as a pretext to dismiss legitimate concerns about election irregularities, and illegal and unconstitutional actions. The 2020 election was conducted in an unprecedented manner: largely by mail, and in a way that overwhelmed the capacities of many states. It is not at all unreasonable to review the manner in which votes were counted.
Indeed, if the goal is to restore faith in future elections, then a comprehensive review and analysis to determine what went wrong, what went right, and what is in need of reform should be a critical next step.
The violence committed at the Capitol was reprehensible and without defense. The overwhelming majority of protestors were peaceful, however, and did not participate in criminal activities. They are still Americans, their concerns still matter, and they cannot be wished away by legislators as inconvenient.
Our politics should be where we solve problems. It should not be a forum for violence, or for politically motivated purges. Moving forward from here will require more speech, not less; more deliberation, not demagoguery. Moves to punish or to exile will not build us up, they will only serve to marginalize, radicalize and destroy. We urge all our leaders – and all conservatives – to oppose them.
| The Honorable Edwin Meese III Attorney General President Ronald Reagan (1985-1988) |
Alfred S. Regnery Chairman, Conservative Action Project President, Republic Book Publishers |
| The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell Chairman Constitutional Congress, Inc. |
The Honorable Bob McEwen U.S. House of Representatives Former Member, Ohio |
| The Honorable Jim DeMint Chairman, Conservative Partnership Institute Member, US Senate (SC 2005-2013) |
Ed Corrigan Vice Chairman, Conservative Action Project President & CEO, Conservative Partnership Institute |
| Kelly J. Shackelford, Esq. Chairman, CNP Action, Inc. President and CEO, First Liberty Institute |
David Bozell President ForAmerica |
| The Honorable Morton C. Blackwell President The Leadership Institute |
L. Brent Bozell, III Founder and President Media Research Center |
| Wesley Denton Chief Operating Officer Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
Penny Y. Nance President & CEO Concerned Women for America |
| Herman Pirchner, Jr. Founding President American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) |
The Honorable Colin A. Hanna President Let Freedom Ring, Inc. |
| Jenny Beth Martin Chairman Tea Party Patriots Citizen Fund |
The Honorable Becky Norton Dunlop White House Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1981-1985) |
| Rachel Bovard Senior Director of Policy Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
William L. Walton President Council for National Policy |
| Mary Vought Executive Director Senate Conservatives Fund |
The Honorable T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr. Chief Domestic Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1987-1988) |
| The Honorable Donald Paul Hodel U.S. Secretary of Energy (1982-1985) U.S. Secretary of Interior (1985-1989) |
The Honorable Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union (ACU) |
| Marjorie Dannenfelser President Susan B. Anthony List |
Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (Ret.) Executive Vice President Family Research Council |
| The Honorable Tony Perkins President Family Research Council |
Daniel Schneider Executive Director American Conservative Union (ACU) |
| Myron Ebell Leader, EPA Team Trump Transition (2016-17) |
Frank J. Gaffney Executive Chairman Center for Security Policy |
| Stephen Stockman U.S. House of Representatives Former Member, Texas |
William Shaker CEO Washington Marking Group |
| Anne Schlafly Cori Chairman Eagle Forum |
Eunie Smith President Emeritus Eagle Forum |
| Colleen Holcomb President Eagle Forum |
Judson Phillips Founder Tea Party Nation |
| Dr. Teryn B. Clarke Neurologist Newport Beach |
Kevin Freeman Founder NSIC Institute |
| Benjamin R. Case Private Citizen |
Sal Russo Co-Founder and Chief Strategist Tea Party Express |
| Troy J. Andrews CEO Paradigm Midstream, LLC |
Karen England Executive Director Capitol Resource Institute |
| Richard Wright Owner R & S LLC |
The Honorable Gary L. Bauer President American Values |
| Lori Roman President American Constitutional Rights Union Action |
Ron Pearson Executive Director Conservative Victory Fund |
| Marcia G. Taylor CEO Bennett Family of Companies |
Gerard Kassar State Chairman NYS Conservative Party |
| Richard G. Scurry VP Business Development 14all, Inc. |
Mat Staver Chairman Liberty Counsel Action |
| Seton Motley President Less Government |
J. Christian Adams President Public Interest Legal Foundation |
| Jack Park Conservative Activist and Donor Law Offices of Jack Park |
Dr. Richard Rounsavelle Trustee Media Research Center |
| Kielle C. Horton President The Lindsey Foundation |
Willes K. Lee President National Federation of Republican Assemblies |
| The Honorable Diana Denman Presidential Appointee/President Ronald Reagan The Reagan Legacy Forum |
Saulius “Saul” Anuzis President 60 Plus Association |
| James L. Martin Founder & Chairman 60 Plus Association |
Donald L. Woodsmall Managing Member Arromid, LLC |
| Michelle Easton President Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women |
Rick Scarborough President Recover America Now |
| Mike Davis Founder and President Article III Project (A3P) |
Kay R. Daly President Coalition for a Fair Judiciary |
| Khadine Ritter Chairman Eagle Forum of Ohio |
G. Eric Georgatos Executive Producer America Can We Talk? |
| Reverend Frank Pavone National Director Priests for Life |
Dr. Alejandro Antonio Chafuen Chairman and Acting President Hispanic American Center for Economic Research |
| Rob Chambers Vice President AFA Action |
Rob Gluskin Managing Partner Gluskin Investment Partners |
| C. Preston Noell III President Tradition, Family, Property, Inc. |
William W. Pascoe, III Board Member Tea Party Patriots Action |
| Chad Connelly President Faith Wins |
Art Ally President Timothy Partners, Ltd. |
| Richard Norman Founder and President The Richard Norman Company |
The Honorable George K. Rasley Jr. Managing Editor ConservativeHQ.com |
| Robert Keith Fischer Meeting Coordinator Conservatives of Faith |
Joan Holt Lindsey President Lindsey Communications |
| The Honorable Peter J. Thomas Chairman The Conservative Caucus |
Terry Schilling Executive Director American Principles Project |
| Bill Shaker CEO Washington Marketing Group |
Lee Beaman CEO Beaman Ventures |
| Barbara Ledeen | Bill Johnson President American Decency Association |
| Ron Robinson President Young America’s Foundation |
Leigh Bortins Owner Classical Conversations |
| Dr. Christopher C. Hull Senior Fellow Americans for Intelligence Reform |
Rick Manning President Americans for Limited Government |
| Robyn Sachs President RMR & Associates |
Lewis K. Uhler Founder and President National Tax Limitation Committee |
| David Hirsch Managing Director RSI Realty |
Amapola Hansberger President Legal Immigrants for America |
| Andresen Blom President Hawaiian Values |
Rebecca Hagelin CEO United in Purpose |
| Elaine Donnelly President Center for Military Readiness |
Paavo Ensio Chairman Universal Minerals Group |
| Sandy Rios Director of Governmental Affairs American Family Association |
Dr. Daphne Patai Emeritus Professor University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| Don L. (Bebo) Lee President New Mexico Federal Lands Council |
Caren Cowan Publisher New Mexico Stockman magazine |
| Tim Throckmorton President Lifepointe Ministries |
Dr. Jeffrey Satinover Managing Director Sterling Institute |
| Floyd Brown President Western Center for Journalism |
The Honorable Eileen J. O’Connor Founder Law Office of Hon. Eileen J. O’Connor PLLC |
| Paul Gessing President Rio Grande Foundation |
Randy M. Long Founder Long Business Advisors, LL |
| John Richardson President Protect Americans Now |
Jeffrey B. Mendell Chairman & CEO JBM Realty |
| James R. Tovar Development Director National Legal and Policy Center |
Dr. Donald van der Vaart Senior Fellow John Locke Foundation |
| Nancy Schulze Founder, President Republican Congressional Wives Speakers |
Tim Wildmon President American Family Association |
| The Honorable Mark Finchem State Representative Arizona Legislature |
Bradley Johnson President Americans for Intelligence Reform |
| Simina Farcasiu Founder and CEO Lower48 Analytics |
Debra Burlingame Co-founder 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America |
| George C. Landrith President Frontiers of Freedom |
Karen Hartman Paralegal Heartbeat International |
| Clare Lopez Founder/President Lopez Liberty LLC |
All organizations listed for IDENTIFICATION purposes only.
