Ninth District Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) issued a statement following today’s events at the nation’s Capitol.

“I fully support the right to peacefully protest and I will always defend that right. I also share and understand the frustration of the millions of Americans that feel cheated out of a fair election. That is why I remain steadfast in my decision to object to the certification of electoral votes, and I am prepared to speak on the House floor against certification when the process resumes.

I want to be very clear that I do not support violence as a form of protest. I have seen first-hand that the vast majority of protesters were peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights, but some were not, and that is not acceptable.

I was one of the last members to leave the House floor and I want to commend the Capitol Police for their professionalism during this entire incident.”