Congressman Fred Upton says the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6 could have been worse, and he does not regret his vote for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump. Upton has gotten criticism from some Sixth District Republicans since the vote, with the Allegan and Cass county parties voting to censure him. He spoke with WSJM News about the controversy.
“I understand their objections, but my allegiance is to the Constitution, and I witnessed firsthand the events that occurred back on January 6,” Upton said. “The president called these folks, many of them involved with the Proud Boys and really anarchists in every definition, he called them patriots, and that’s not how you have a peaceful transfer of power.
Upton says the election was over, certified by all 50 states.
“To watch these folks come in to disrupt, five people were killed, lots of damage, it could have been far worse. And to indicate, as the president did, that his actions were totally appropriate, I felt was wrong and that’s why I voted the way that I did.”
Due to COVID capacity restrictions, Upton himself was in his office when the incident took place, but says he watched it all unfold as it happened. A police officer killed in the incident is lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda starting Tuesday, and Upton plans to pay his respects.
