ITHACA, N.Y.—Representative Tom Reed announced on Twitter Wednesday afternoon that he is safe during the current violence in Washington, D.C. perpetrated by supporters of President Donald Trump. It is unclear if Reed was actually in the Capitol for today’s violence.

Reed, in a statement posted on social media, condemned the actions of the rioters who stormed the Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, interrupting the congressional certification of November’s presidential election results which declare victory for President-elect Joe Biden over Donald Trump. Reed called the conduct of the mob of Trump supporters, with some obvious links to conspiracy theorists, “absolutely unacceptable” and called for immediate de-escalation.

While Reed does not mention Trump in the statement directly, he does call for a peaceful transition of power—something Trump has been resistant to embrace over the last two months. The action at the Capitol comes as Biden is set to be inaugurated later this month.

“My heart breaks for our nation right now,” Reed wrote. “Our country and its beautiful democracy is better than this. Our Constitution calls for the civil transition of power and though we may not agree with the election results, we must agree to always act with honor and civility towards all. We believe in the right to peacefully protest, but we must emphatically reject these horrible instances of physical attacks on our governing institutions and let democracy proceed.”

The Congressman has been one of Trump’s staunchest allies –– he was one of Trump’s first prominent supporters in Congress, endorsing him in March 2016, while Trump was still involved in the Republican presidential primary and also served as the Vice Chair of Trump’s transition team after his election victory in 2016.

Members of congress including many of Reed’s colleagues, were evacuated Wednesday as people infiltrated the Capitol, scaling walls and entering congressional chambers. Police have been seen with guns drawn in at least one standoff with someone in the building, and hundreds more occupied the halls of Congress. There were other reports of bomb threats and attacks on police officers by those inside and outside of the capitol. According to video from the scene, one woman was shot in the neck, and reports list her in critical condition.

The President has since tweeted a video asking those present to go home, but continues to contest the results of the election and says that he won in a “landslide,” –– a statement that is untrue. Reports of violence continue to unfold and the situation is ongoing.

Matt Butler is the Editor in Chief of The Ithaca Voice. He can be reached by email at mbutler@ithacavoice.org.