U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis voted against impeaching President Donald Trump, saying the process was rushed and would heighten division at a time when the country needs unity.
A majority of the U.S. House voted Wednesday to impeach Trump for a second time, just a week after he encouraged loyalists to “fight like hell” against election results and a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Davis, a Taylorville Republican who had been an honorary chairman of Trump's Illinois campaign, said the president, many of his allies in Congress and media commentators on the right deserve blame for circumstances leading to what he called "one of the worst days this great country has ever seen."
"There must be accountability for leaders who deliberately misled the public," said Davis, who represents the 13th Congressional District, "but I fear that without thoughtful and clear-eyed leadership from both sides of the aisle, we are in danger of further violence and political unrest."
The impeachment proceedings came one week after a violent, pro-Trump mob breached the Capitol, sending lawmakers into hiding and revealing the fragility of the nation’s history of peaceful transfers of power. Five people died.
Read the congressman's full statement below:
"We are at a perilous moment in our Nation’s history. President Trump, many of his allies in Congress, and media commentators on the right deserve blame for the circumstances that led up to one of the worst days this great country has ever seen. Since November, many in my party perpetuated the lie that the election was “stolen” and gave false hope to millions that the president could somehow remain in office after January 20th. That was never going to happen. There must be accountability for leaders who deliberately misled the public, but I fear that without thoughtful and clear-eyed leadership from both sides of the aisle, we are in danger of further violence and political unrest.
"While a convenient talking point, we must be honest that our country did not arrive at this moment in the last two months, or simply the last four years. Though many prefer not to admit it, political deception is a bipartisan disease that seems only to worsen and lead to violence. Last Wednesday is the second time in my short Congressional career that I’ve needed to thank law enforcement for saving my life during an act of political violence. The former because a deranged gunman believed leaders and agitators on the left that I and my Republican colleagues were a danger to America. We as a country have got to do better.
"There must be a full accounting of what happened leading up to and on the day of January 6th. Law enforcement must have all resources necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice. That investigation should be unimpeded and free from partisan influence. The investigation should be conducted in such a manner to sooth tensions and provide the public with confidence that law and order will prevail.
"Process matters. A snap impeachment conducted without a full investigation or without due process for the president accomplishes nothing. At a time when political tensions are at an all-time high, impeachment will drive people further into their corners and could lead to additional violence. Unlike what some Democratic leaders are saying, President Trump will not be removed from office under this process. The Democrats’ stated goal to punish the president and bar him from seeking federal office in the future certainly isn’t urgent. He will be removed from office under the law in less than one week. We need to lower temperatures, not enflame them. If, when a full accounting of the facts of January 6th comes in, Pelosi and the Democrats wish to punish President Trump, they can pursue that process with their party’s total control of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.
"Our nation needs sober-minded leaders who will sooth a wounded electorate. President-elect Biden has missed an opportunity to act on his promise of unifying the country by calling for calm and pledging to listen to those who feel so ignored by our elected leaders. He is now the face of his party and will be the legitimately elected leader of our country in a matter days. I stand ready to work with President-elect Biden on solutions to the many problems our country faces. We should all wish President Biden success, for when he succeeds, our nation succeeds."
Elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach

Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn America’s presidential election and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.
Here's how elected officials in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin reacted to the situation.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Democrat

"I’m disgusted watching the violence playing out inside and around the Capitol," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said in a social media post. "First and foremost, I pray for the safety of our first responders, elected officials, staff and the public.
"This violence is abhorrent and is nothing like what the founders envisioned for this nation. The peaceful transition of power is a bedrock of our democracy. It is sacred and must be protected.
"Donald Trump has incited a violent coup attempt. And his enablers share responsibility for this, pure and simple."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Channahon

As supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted: "This is a coup attempt."
He then responded to a tweet by President Donald Trump, who said: "Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!"
Kinzinger responded: "You are not protecting the country. Where is the DC guard? You are done and your legacy will be a disaster."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, Republican of Peoria

"I have always fought for the right to peacefully protest, but there is a stark difference between protesting and rioting," LaHood tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "Lawlessness is never an acceptable answer. This must end now.
"Thank you to Capitol Police and law enforcement for working to keep people safe."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, Republican of Murphysboro

Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, Republican of Taylorville

"This is a sad day for our country," U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, said on Twitter. "The lawlessness has got to stop. Protestors must leave the Capitol so Congress can resume the process of confirming the Electoral College vote. My staff and I are currently safe. More to say later."
Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, said in an interview with NBC News that she was evacuated from the Capitol and is safe with a couple of her staff members.
“I never in my wildest dreams would I think Americans would do this,” she said.
Duckworth said she supports peaceful protest but “this is a mob. This is a riot.” She said the mob following “the will of a wannabe tin-pot dictator.”
On Twitter, she said: “I have spent my entire adult life defending our Constitution and people’s rights to peacefully demonstrate. I never thought I’d need to defend democracy from an attempted, violent overthrow in our own nation’s Capitol. I will not yield to those who seek to harm our democracy.”
Indiana U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, Democrat of Indianapolis

"Everything that's happening in DC today — from the political theater inside the Capitol, to the unruly protests outside of it — is an insult to our Democracy," U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis, wrote on Twitter. "Congress is here to serve the people. The people chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and we must uphold their choice."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, Republican of Elkhart

"Every American has the right to exercise their First Amendment rights, but violence and destruction are never the answer," U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, said on Twitter. "Stop these attacks on our country now and keep the protests peaceful. Grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police for protecting everyone in our Capitol."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Republican of Columbia City

"Peaceful protest is healthy, but what is happening at the U.S. Capitol right now is unacceptable and un-American," U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, said on Twitter. "Those participating in lawlessness and violence must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, Republican of Evansville

"Supporters of Donald Trump please stand down and leave the Capitol," U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville, said on Twitter. "I do not condone any form of violence. A peaceful protest is your Constitutional right but what is happening now is not lawful. It is un-American."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, Republican of Jeffersonville

"The day started with democracy at the Capitol, people debating and asserting the views of millions of Americans," U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville, wrote on Twitter. "But what happened this afternoon at the Capitol is not democracy and not reflective of the ideals we hold so dear. There is no space in our system of government for violence or vandalism, and none should be tolerated here or anywhere in our great land."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, Republican of Noblesville

"We are a country of laws and the lawlessness in and around the U.S. Capitol today is unacceptable," Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz said on Twitter. "The actions of those who have stormed the Capitol only hurt their cause. Please let the democratic process play out peacefully."
Indiana U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Republican

"What we’re seeing at the Capitol is wrong, hurts the cause of election integrity, and needs to stop immediately," U.S. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana wrote on Twitter. "Rioting and violence are never acceptable."
Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young, Republican

"In America we have a right to peacefully protest, but what has occurred today goes against everything we stand for as a nation," U.S. Sen. Todd Young said on Twitter. "This is not a peaceful protest – it is violence and it is reprehensible. This must stop."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, Republican of Glenbeulah

Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman told the Wisconsin State Journal he wants to see more leadership from Trump to call off the protests, and wants the certification of Biden's win to "wrap up" as soon as possible, potentially without all members of Congress being present. Shortly afterward, Trump posted a short video on Twitter in which he again baselessly claimed he won the election but urged protesters to "go home."
Grothman declined to say whether he supported the objections to Biden's win but added that the certification is largely ceremonial and should be treated as such by Trump's supporters.
"I think it's important there be a little more leadership here, and I wish the president would get on TV and do what he can to encourage people to disperse," Grothman said. "I think people for whatever motivation have implied that this day, which is normally a day for perfunctory ceremony, is going to be a day of great significance, and that I think is irresponsible."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Democrat of Milwaukee

Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, Democrat of Madison

Some Wisconsin Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, put the blame on Republicans for encouraging the protests and slammed Trump for "inciting domestic terrorism."
"Remember "stand back & stand by"? We saw this violent fascism coming, and the GOP encouraged it," Pocan said, referring to Trump's comments during the campaign when he sidestepped calling out the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, Republican of Green Bay

"This is banana republic crap that we’re watching happen right now," Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher said, while also condemning fellow Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who planned to object to the outcome of the election.
"The objectors over the last two days have told me, 'There is no problem with just having a debate. We know we’re not going to succeed, so we’re just going to object; we’re going to have a debate, we’ll voice people’s concerns and then we won’t actually overturn our entire system of representative government so nothing bad will happen. There will be no cost to this effort,'" Gallagher said. "This is the cost of this effort."
Gallagher told CBS News he believes Congress doesn't have the power to overturn the election, as Trump has repeatedly called for since he lost in November.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, Democrat of La Crosse

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Kind spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon, denouncing the chaos erupting at the Capitol in the wake of Congress's confirmation of the election.
The 12-term representative from La Crosse called it a "sad day," but said he was not surprised by the events unfolding.
"I ask my colleagues — who for months now have spread lies about the integrity of the ballot box, unfounded accusations lacking any evidence or facts about voter fraud in this election — what did they expect the reaction to be?" he said.
"They have unleashed dark forces in our society now who think that this is entirely appropriate to attempt a coup d'état of our government because of what they've been led to believe," Kind said.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Republican of Minocqua

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was joining with Johnson in objecting to the results, said during a phone interview that he was in the House chamber as debate was ongoing.
“And then all hell broke loose," Tiffany said. He was escorted to a safe location.
Although those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday were Trump supporters, Tiffany, one of Trump's staunchest supporters, said both Democrats and Republicans need to urge calm among their supporters. He pointed to the sometimes violent protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody last May and the shooting of another Black man, Jacob Blake, in August by police in Kenosha.
“What needs to happen is people on both sides of the aisle, they need to start calling this out and make people stop it," Tiffany said.
Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said he planned to object to at least some states' electoral votes for Joe Biden, perpetuating baseless claims of election fraud that have in part caused the very protest that descended on the Capitol building.
On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson called for demonstrators to disperse.
"Please, if you are in or around the Capitol, respect law enforcement and peacefully disperse," Johnson tweeted.
Contact Allison Petty at (217) 421-6986. Follow her on Twitter: @AllisonAPetty