SEAL BEACH, CA — Former congressman Dana Rohrabacher was indeed outside the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, he admits. However, he says he urged fellow protesters not to go inside the building, he says. He tells the Press Herald that he "participated in a peaceful march" on the west side of the Capitol.
Rohrabacher, who now resides in Maine, the former 48th congressional district congressman unseated by Harley Rouda in 2018, was frequently referred to as "Putin's favorite congressman" while in office. He is one of several Orange County residents who made the trek to the Capitol building to protest the certification of electoral college votes declaring Joe Biden the next president.
Read: Congressman Rohrabacher Asks NASA About Alien Civilization On Mars
Former Congressman Harley Rouda, who intends to run against Republican Michelle Steel, current 48th Congresswoman, decried her lack of speaking out against the insurrection over social media.
Michelle Steel did decry the events of Jan. 6 the day after they occurred.
What we saw yesterday in our nation's capital is not the America I know and love. My full statement on yesterday's events: pic.twitter.com/K0wx43r29a
— Rep. Michelle Steel (@RepSteel) January 7, 2021
Rohrabacher continued his explanation for attending the Jan. 6 event.
"I marched to protest, and I thought the election was fraudulent, and it should be investigated," Rohrabacher told the Press Herald. "I wanted to express that and be supportive of that demand."
Read the full story by Colin Woodard in the Press Herald.