Montana’s Senators Tester and Daines Spar over D.C. Riots

In Tuesday's USA Today, Montana Senator Jon Tester authored an editorial about his reactions to the violence and deaths that occurred last week in Washington, D.C.

One of his comments read: ‘A few days before the violent insurrection, as the President pressured Georgia’s Secretary of State to find enough votes to overturn his election loss, 13 of my Senate colleagues took the shocking step of announcing plans to challenge the outcome of the election. Maybe they did it because they believe it will help them in their next election. Maybe they did it to raise money, or because it’s much easier to follow than to lead. Whatever their reasons, blame rests squarely on their shoulders, and history will never forget who they are — no matter how much they try to explain it away now.

If traitors to our democracy aren’t held accountable, we will fall under siege again. And if that happens, it will unfold with better planning and even bloodier results.’

Read Senator Tester’s entire editorial here.

In response to Tester’s editorial, a staffer for Montana’s junior Senator, recently reelected Republican Steve Daines wrote:

‘Senator Tester is no stranger to dangerous rhetoric when he suggested on MSNBC just 18 months ago his supporters need to ‘punch the President in the face.’ However, calling Senators and Congressmen traitors is inexcusable. His outrage is an effort to silence not the criminals who assaulted the Capitol but the vast majority of peaceful, patriotic supporters of President Trump, and strong majority of his own Montana constituents who just overwhelmingly elected Senator Daines and Congressman Rosendale over his preferred candidates. Senator Daines believes it’s time to stop trying to score political points and come together for the future of our country.”

Also in Washington, D.C. the FBI has begun a comprehensive investigation into the riots stating that hundreds of arrests will be forthcoming and that court cases may go on for months to come.