Scalise Labels Capitol Riot ‘Domestic Terrorism,’ Says Trump Should Have Denounced It in Real Time

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) is calling on Republicans and Democrats to commit to condemning political violence from both sides of the aisle and tone down the rhetoric after rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Scalise penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal to urge Democrats and Republicans to tone down the rhetoric as he noted his experience with political violence over the course of the past four years.

In a tweet sharing the op-ed, he wrote, “This is the second time in three years, I have seen political violence firsthand. Republicans and Democrats alike must have the moral clarity to call out violent rhetoric whenever it’s spoken, not just when it’s politically convenient.”

“I am still outraged by the domestic terrorism we saw at the Capitol last week, and I condemned it immediately,” he added.

Scalise’s op-ed was published just under a week after a mob of violent Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The breach led left five dead and forced a lockdown, which disrupted Congressional proceedings to certify the presidential election results.

He said that he is “still angry” over the events that transpired and still has security concerns for staff and lawmakers in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he said, “President Trump should have denounced the attack unequivocally as it was taking place.”

While protesters overwhelmed security at the Capitol, Trump sent out a tweet blasting Vice President Mike Pence