NC Democratic lawmakers stage a walkout as GOP welcomes lawmaker with link to the Capitol riot

The majority of North Carolina's state Democrats are not pleased with Republican lawmakers' decision to seat their newly selected replacement for the late Rep. Dana Bumgardner (R-N.C.). According to WRAL, Democrats were so adamant about their stance, they staged a walk-out to express their disapproval of Rep. Donnie Loftis (R-N.C.) being sworn in.

On Monday, November 1, when Loftis officially took office, Democratic lawmakers' expressed concerns about the new Republican lawmaker and his support of former President Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the presidential election.

The publication reports that Loftis claimed he was "close enough when rioters breached the Capitol to be 'gassed three times' and that he felt a duty, as a veteran, to be there that day."

"My Oath of Enlistment has the phrase 'both foreign and domestic,'" Loftis said on Facebook at the time. "We didn't think it would actually be domestic."

Democratic Party Chairwoman Bobbie Richardson released a statement on behalf of the party as she expressed concern about Loftis being seated.

"Today marks a new low for General Assembly Republicans because, instead of condemning those actions and rejecting the rhetoric that incites violence, they are welcoming a Capitol insurrection participant with open arms," Richardson said in the statement. "The Republican Party hand-picked Loftis to join their ranks, further demonstrating how trending towards extremism is the future of the North Carolina Republican Party."