ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) 鈥� The Maryland Democratic Party called for the resignation of U.S. Rep. Andy Harris on Thursday, stating he was 鈥渃omplicit鈥� in the violent occupation of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, but the Republican lawmaker said his concerns over voter fraud weren鈥檛 seditious.
础听聽accused Harris, R-Md., and other Republican members of Congress of inciting the聽聽Wednesday after using 鈥渋nflammatory rhetoric and blatant falsehoods鈥� regarding the presidential election results.
Lewis said Harris鈥� conduct was 鈥渁 disgrace…to all the people of Maryland.鈥� She said Harris should resign immediately.
鈥淩epresentative Harris鈥� actions have been nothing short of an attack on our democracy, a betrayal of those who he represents, and an attempt to overturn a legitimate election in favor of a wannabe authoritarian,鈥� Lewis said.
Harris said he would not resign. He was the only Maryland lawmaker to join more than 100 Republican House members who voted to contest the election results after the mob was cleared and Congress reconvened to confirm Democratic President-elect Joe Biden鈥檚 victory.
础听聽from Harris said his concerns over voter fraud were 鈥渓egitimate Constitutional concerns鈥� and he 鈥渇elt compelled to highlight those concerns during the formal vote count.鈥�
鈥淲e did not call for the overthrowing of an election,鈥� Harris said.
聽were urged by Trump during a rally near the White House earlier Wednesday to head to Capitol Hill, where lawmakers were scheduled to confirm Biden鈥檚 presidential victory. The聽聽by the mob left five dead, including聽.
Lewis condemned Harris鈥� response, stating, 鈥渄espite seeing the destruction and harm his falsehoods have wrought, Representative Harris continued to legitimize and fuel the attempted insurrection.鈥�
鈥淚t definitely got out of hand,鈥� Harris聽. 鈥淏ut again, people are very discouraged, they鈥檙e disappointed. The country is polarized.鈥�
Harris said he rejects 鈥渧iolent protests, whether in the case of yesterday, or last summer,鈥� referring to聽聽and social justice demonstrations after the death of George Floyd.
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