Here’s how Delaware political leaders responded to the Capitol riot on social media

Delaware was simultaneously one of the centers of the news universe on Jan. 6 and a small player in the events of the day.

On the one hand, President-elect Joe Biden was working on economic policy in Wilmington as the usually routine electoral vote count in Congress would turn into a day of insurrection. In Washington D.C., Delaware’s three congresspeople — Sen. Tom Carper, Sen. Chris Coons and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester — were uncontroversial and out of the spotlight as they participated in the count portion of the day without objection.

Here’s how Delaware leaders were seen on social media throughout the day:

Carper posted to let followers know he was OK on Twitter. Later, after State News reporter Matthew Bittle posted that Carper was against invoking the 25th Amendment against Mr. Trump following the riot, he posted a longer statement clarifying his position:

Our democracy is sacred and as members of Congress, we have an obligation to protect the will of the people. We will certify the results of the 2020 election and ensure President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are sworn in on January 20th.

— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) January 7, 2021

Sen. Tom Carper tells me he does not support invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president or impeaching and convicting, saying instead we should keep our eye on the ball and focus on Jan. 20, inauguration day. #netDE

— Matthew Bittle (@MatthewCBittle) January 6, 2021

Let me be perfectly clear about my thoughts on the unprecedented assault I witnessed firsthand today.

My full statement ⤵️: pic.twitter.com/CNq7tKb6b3

— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) January 7, 2021

And an update, as of Thursday evening:

All three members of Delaware's congressional delegation support impeaching or invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump before Jan. 20. #netDE

— Matthew Bittle (@MatthewCBittle) January 7, 2021

Coons was confident as he tweeted during the events of the day. As he predicted, he and the rest of the Senate reconvened that evening. Coons has been clear about wanting to remove Trump, including by the 25th Amendment if necessary.

I never thought I would see this in our nation— a President egging on protestors and allies in the Congress to seek to overturn an election. We need to come together and secure our democracy. I remain confident we will return to the Senate tonight and complete our work.

— Chris Coons (@ChrisCoonsforDE) January 6, 2021

Chris Coons: https://t.co/2LIYzelzop

— Roshan Rinaldi (@Roshan_Rinaldi) January 7, 2021

"If we are not going to use the 25th Amendment in this moment, then I don't know what it's really for…if they (Cabinet) don't see this as a moment of very clear and present danger, then I don't really know what the 25th Amendment is for." — @ChrisCoons (Today @ABCGMA3, 1pmEST) pic.twitter.com/mZrh9olIVZ

— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) January 7, 2021

Blunt Rochester was captured by a reporter who was in the House chamber as the rioters breached the Capitol. Around 4 p.m., she tweeted a message from a secure location. She later stated, through a spokesperson, that she believed Trump should be removed.

Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester hunkered down, frightened on a balcony in the House chamber. #RobPetreeReporting #NetDE pic.twitter.com/KmHvSLol0a

— Rob Petree (@RobertPetree) January 6, 2021

Delaware – thank you for all your messages and prayers.

I'm safe & I'm well – clear-eyed about the work ahead of us.

But for tonight, we have one job. To certify the election of @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/zx9hvWiP41

— Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (@RepLBR) January 7, 2021

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) believes the President should be removed from office "as quickly as possible," according to a spokesman.

"She's long believed he's unfit for office and now thinks he poses a clear and present danger to the country." #netde

— Delaware Public Media (@DelawarePublic) January 7, 2021

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings minced no words, calling the insurrection “treason” in a statement.

"People have been hurt and more will be, due in no small part to the actions of Trump, and some Republican officials and bystanders, who have cynically stoked the flames of conspiracy and sedition for months," Delaware AG Kathy Jennings wrote. #netde @DE_DOJ

— Delaware Public Media (@DelawarePublic) January 6, 2021

Biden gave a speech from Wilmington, changing its topic to the insurrection that was happening at the time. Just before 4 a.m. on Jan. 7, he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were officially certified as the next president and vice president of the United States, going into effect on Jan. 20.

“They weren’t protesters — don’t dare call them protesters. They were a riotous mob. Insurrectionists. Domestic terrorists,” Biden says of the chaos at the U.S. Capitol, calling yesterday “one of the darkest days in the history of our nation.” pic.twitter.com/fLsRH0GQpC

— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) January 7, 2021

BREAKING: Congress has certified the 2020 election results.

▪️ President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated on Jan. 20.
▪️ VP Mike Pence has no authority to stop certification.
▪️ Claims of voter fraud are unsubstantiated and have been rejected by AG Barr and the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/MrMtlSeJGh

— AJ+ (@ajplus) January 7, 2021

Near 9:30 a.m., Gov. John Carney confirmed that he is deploying the Delaware National Guard to Washington, joining the National Guards of Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.

After conversations with DC authorities, I am deploying members of the Delaware National Guard to Washington to support law enforcement and ongoing security efforts after the breach of the Capitol.

— Governor John Carney (@JohnCarneyDE) January 7, 2021