The chairman of Wyoming’s Republican Party said although he attended a rally in support of President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, he did not see the storming of the Capitol that left four people dead.
Frank Eathorne, in a statement, said he saw only peaceful protesters during the rally held before Congress met to certify the results of the Electoral College vote that gave Democrat Joe Biden the victory in November’s presidential election.
“I attended the organized and peaceful rally near the White House on Jan. 6,” Eathorne said. “The lawn between the White House and the Washington Monument is a very large area and held an unknown number of peaceful demonstrators who came to listen to speakers including Rudy Giuliani and President Trump.”
Eathorne said as he left the rally, he saw no sign of the storming of the Capitol by thousands of protesters. He added he first learned of the incident while watching news reports later.
“No violence or property damage was observed during my time there including a brief stop in the vicinity of the Capitol building property,” the statement said. “I retired from the public gathering near mid-afternoon and watched the news of some reported events I personally had not witnessed.”
Eathorne endorsed Trump’s call for peace issued Wednesday evening.
“The president’s statement tonight urging peace and love is the right course of action,” his statement said.
According to officials, thousands of people identified as Trump supporters invaded the Capitol after the rally, forcing its evacuation as members of Congress discussed the certification of the Electoral College’s vote.
Congress reconvened Wednesday night and certified the Electoral College’s vote.
