The state’s largest Alaska Native organization called for President Donald Trump to resign and condemned the violence on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol.
The Alaska Federation of Natives also singled out Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski for praise for her role in denouncing the Capitol uprising. Murkowski last week said Trump incited supporters to storm the Capitol and told the Daily News that he needs to resign, becoming the first Senate Republican to do so.
“Senator Murkowski has been a consistent and brave voice of reason, especially during some very trying times in the country,” AFN co-chair Joe Nelson said. “It is in the best interest of the country for President Trump to resign and allow the country to move toward healing.”
[Security heightened at Alaska’s state Capitol after FBI warns of armed protests planned nationally]
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday is expected to consider an article of impeachment charging Trump with “incitement of insurrection” over what he said to supporters at a rally ahead of the violent riot at the Capitol, which forced lawmakers to flee an angry mob and was linked to the deaths of five people, including a Capitol Police officer. If the House votes to impeach, the process would then move to the Senate, which would hold a trial.
AFN said it was “horrified” to see videos of the beating of police officers and to see the terror of people trapped in the Capitol.
”We support the full weight of the law to be used to protect our country and ensure there is accountability for the actions of the perpetrators as well as those who appear to have planned this attack,” AFN President Julie Kitka said.
The group asked Murkowski to “press ahead with courage and conviction and do what is right.”