Republican members led 'reconnaissance’ tours of US Capitol one day before pro-Trump riot: congresswoman

According to North Jersey, newly-elected lawmaker Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) revealed she personally witnessed Congressional members conducting "reconnaissance" tours through the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 5, just one day before an angry pro-Trump mob stormed the federal building to hinder lawmakers' efforts to certify the electoral college vote.

In a video on Facebook live, Sherill explained her reasons for voting in support of Democrats' House resolution requesting Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment which would lead to immediate removal from office for President Donald Trump.

Sherill went on to criticize her Republican colleagues who "abetted" Trump's repeated, dangerous attempts to overturn the presidential election. She also touched on Trump's rhetoric and influence which, subsequently, led to a violent mob storming the federal building.

"We can't have a democracy if members of Congress are actively helping the president overturn the election results.

And so not only do I intend to see that the president is removed and never runs for office again and doesn't have access to classified material, I also intend to see that those members of Congress who abetted him; those members of Congress who had groups coming through the Capitol that I saw on Jan. 5 – a reconnaissance for the next day; those members of Congress that incited this violent crowd; those members of Congress that attempted to help our president undermine our democracy; I'm going to see they are held accountable, and if necessary, ensure that they don't serve in Congress."

Sherill hopes that those who were involved, lawmakers or otherwise, face consequences for their actions. The newly-elected congressmember also made it clear that she will do her part to ensure there is accountability for those involved. "I'm going to see they are held accountable, and if necessary, ensure that they don't serve in Congress," she said.

She also noted how the disagreement on a peaceful transfer of power creates a line of demarcation between Americans as she stressed the importance of protecting the country's fragile democracy.

"For all of those who refuse to participate in this democracy, refuse to see power turned over peacefully, who refuse to heed the will of the people, as we do in a democracy," Sherrill said. "We are now on different sides of this line."

She added, "We can't have a democracy if too many members of our police and our military are acting to overturn it and undermine it."

Watch the video below: