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Shaylee Ragar / Montana Public Radio
Montana state political leaders issued statements condemning pro-Donald Trump extremists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
Chairman Don Kaltschmidt said violence doesn’t represent the Montana GOP’s values. He celebrated the First Amendment but said “today s events at the U.S. Capitol fell far short of what makes this country great.”
Montana Senate President Mark Blasdel and Speaker of the House Wylie Galt, both Republicans, echoed that point and praised peaceful demonstrations that took place at the Montana Capitol this week.
Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Sandi Luckey said Wednesday’s violence was enabled by “the dangerous, baseless claims of election fraud,” by Gov. Greg Gianforte, Sen. Steve Daines and Congressman Matt Rosendale, who are all Republicans.
The week before the start of a Montana legislative session is always a busy time. This year, with new precautions due to COVID-19, there’s more work than ever to prepare.
Under normal circumstances, the top storyline on the 2021 Montana Legislature would be Republicans in control of the Senate, House and governorship for the first time in 16 years, with a glidepath to enact conservative policy. But, the pandemic looms over all.