Shaylee Ragar / Montana Public Radio
Montana state political leaders issued statements condemning pro-Donald Trump extremists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Chairman Don Kaltschmidt said violence doesn’t represent the Montana GOP’s values. He celebrated the First Amendment but said “today s events at the U.S. Capitol fell far short of what makes this country great.”
Montana Senate President Mark Blasdel and Speaker of the House Wylie Galt, both Republicans, echoed that point and praised peaceful demonstrations that took place at the Montana Capitol this week.
Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Sandi Luckey said Wednesday’s violence was enabled by “the dangerous, baseless claims of election fraud,” by Gov. Greg Gianforte, Sen. Steve Daines and Congressman Matt Rosendale, who are all Republicans.