Congressman Mo Brooks has refused to apologize for telling 'American patriots' to 'start taking down names and kicking ass' moments before a MAGA mob stormed the US Capitol in a riot that left five dead.
Rep. Brooks of Alabama stood by his fiery words Friday claiming he was talking about a donkey when he spoke about 'kicking ass' to Wednesday's crowd at the president's rally, saying he was making a reference to the Democratic party's mascot.
The Republican claimed he was trying to 'inspire patriotic Americans to not give up on our country and to fight back against anti-Christian socialists in the 2022 and 2024 elections.'
Brooks warmed up the crowd of Donald Trump supporters at the president's rally Wednesday telling them: 'Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass.'
Soon after, an angry mob of pro-Trump rioters - among them white supremacists, QAnon fanatics and Proud Boys - violently broke into the Capitol building, fought with law enforcement, looted items including potentially sensitive information and smashed windows to enter the chambers and offices.
Some rioters appeared to follow Brooks' call to 'take down names', with the sign above House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office removed and destroyed in the siege.
Five people - including a Capitol police officer - died as a result of the riot.
Congressman Mo Brooks has refused to apologize for telling 'American patriots' to 'start taking down names and kicking ass' moments before a MAGA mob stormed the US Capitol in a riot that left five dead
Brooks, a Republican from Huntsville, refused to acknowledge his part in the violence or apologize for the carnage telling AL.com he will 'make no apology'.
'I make no apology for doing my absolute best to inspire patriotic Americans to not give up on our country and to fight back against anti-Christian socialists in the 2022 and 2024 elections,' he told the outlet.
'I encourage EVERY citizen to watch my entire rally speech and decide for themselves what kind of America they want: One based on freedom and liberty or one based on Godless dictatorial power.'
The congressman also made the baffling claim about his use of the word 'ass'. 'For emphasis, an 'ass' is a donkey, the socialist Democrat's mascot and symbol,' Brooks said.
'I call again for kicking that 'ass' all the way back to the communist dictatorships that 'ass' now worships.'
Despite reinforcing his encouragement to 'kick ass', Brooks told AL.com his speech did not incite violence, claiming he was encouraging 'fighting' by voting in future elections.
'The radical left's absurd claim that I called for violence is pure bunk,' Brooks said.
Soon after, an angry mob of pro-Trump rioters - among them white supremacists, QAnon fanatics and Proud Boys - violently broke into the Capitol building
Trump supporters breached the Capitol building Wednesday in a move that shocked the world
'I called for exercise of freedom of protest at the Capitol and for fighting for our cause at the ballot box in the 2022 and 2024.'
He said he condemned Wednesday's violence on Capitol Hill ad was calling for the 'aggressive prosecution' of all involved 'regardless of their political persuasion.'
'Peaceful protest is an American's Constitutional right. Violence is not,' he said.
He also continued to push unfounded claims of mass voter fraud - even after the Electoral College votes were certified for Biden.
'Patriotic Americans who support liberty and freedom took a beating in recent elections at the hands of anti-Christian socialists,' Brooks said.
'Recall the recent sarcastic 'Amen and A-woman' House floor prayer close (on Jan. 3 by Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver).
Some rioters appeared to follow Brooks' call to 'take down names', with the sign above House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office removed and destroyed in the siege
Rioters hold up Pelosi's destroyed and looted sign during the siege on the Capitol
'70-plus million Americans are despondent because of the 2020 election results, the massive voter fraud and their fear for America's future.'
Such claims of voter fraud have been backed up with no evidence.
At least 42 lawsuits by Trump, his campaign and Republicans to overturn the election failed to gain ground and Trump's own administration said the election was legal and fair.
Brooks has come under fire for his comments during Wednesday's rally, where both he, Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Rudy Giuliani stoked up the crowd.
Alabama Representative Chris England, a Democrat, accused Brooks of 'charging up, manipulating and lying to' the crowd before the attack on the seat of the US government in a series of tweets Friday.
'If Wednesday was the final act of Donald Trump's circus, @RepMoBrooks is one of the ringmasters,' he tweeted.
'For weeks now, he has been lying to the public and whipping people into a frenzy that he and crew were going to 'stop the steal' Wednesday.'
Alabama Rep. Chris England accused Brooks of 'charging up, manipulating and lying to' the crowd before the attack in a series of tweets Friday
England said Brooks had been pushing 'debunked conspiracy theories' as well as
'Check his Twitter feed for the last month. Speeches and statements pushing debunked conspiracy theories based on absolutely nothing.
'Also, promising that they were going to use their power to overturn the election even after his own Republican colleagues said it wasn't possible,' he tweeted.
'After spinning this false narrative, stoking this fire and encouraging 'Patriots' to show up at the Capitol to fight and 'stop the steal', he then is the first speaker at the rally and says this,' he wrote, posting footage of Brooks' speech.
England directly pointed the blame for the five deaths on Brooks including that of the cop who he said died trying to protect Brooks and others from the violence he incited.
'So, @RepMoBrooks, Wednesday was the day the people he charged up, manipulated, and lied to decided to go into the chamber and take names and 'kick ass' just as he said. As a result, 5 people are now dead including a LEO that was trying to protect him from the melee he incited,' England tweeted.
England's long Twitter thread closed off calling for Brooks to resign from his position over his party in Wednesday's riot.
'I would suggest that @RepMoBrooks and his minions do the same thing that Trump is going to do at some point between now and January 20th, and just go on home with him,' he tweeted.
Rep. Mo Brooks objecting to confirming the Electoral College votes from Nevada during a joint session of the House and Senate to confirm the Electoral College
A prominent Alabama preacher - who is a Republican - has also said Brooks 'bears some responsibility' for Wednesday's violence.
Travis Collins, pastor at First Baptist Church, told AL.com he was speaking out in the hope he can 'influence [Brooks'] future behavior.'
'I'm not talking about the president and others who incited those things. I'm speaking to Brooks because he is my personal representative. Trump will never hear I thought he was irresponsible,' he told the outlet.
'But Brooks, maybe there will be some chance I can influence his future behavior.
'Maybe somebody on his staff will say, 'Gosh, there's a Baptist preacher who is mad at you.' Maybe I could be a positive influence on his behavior going forward.'
Brooks was responsible for leading the last-ditch - and now failed - effort to overturn the election results.
When lawmakers returned to certify the Electoral College votes Wednesday night following the chaos, he objected to Nevada's and Arizona's votes.
An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while Trump supporters gather in front of the Capitol on Wednesday
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