Iowa Rep. Feenstra clarifies description of protest that led up to the mob attack on U.S. Capitol

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra is clarifying his comments, drawing a distinct line between what he called a “wonderful group” of peaceful protesters and the violent mob of “anarchists” that attacked the U.S. Capitol Wednesday.

Rep. Feenstra told KCRG-TV9′s Washington, D.C. Bureau that he was disappointed by the violence that had unfolded Wednesday, saying what started as peaceful protesters “got carried away”.

We had just a wonderful group over the last 24 hours to protest peacefully,” Feenstra said in the full interview. “Obviously, in the last 4-6 hours, that changed dramatically and that’s just tragic and unfortunate. We live in this free country that we have freedoms and liberties, freedom of speech specifically, and this group got carried away. And it’s sad, it’s a very sad day for our country.”

Thursday, Rep. Feenstra’s office clarified that the “wonderful group” referred specifically to the peaceful protests and rally before the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“In an effort to provide context to the events of the past 48 hours, Congressman Feenstra explained how the protests, which, for many here in Washington, began as a peaceful exercise of the First Amendment rights of citizens, turned to violence and anarchy,” communications director Aaron Britt told KCRG in a statement. “He clearly delineated those who were peaceful from those who were violent, just as our Constitution does. Throughout the day, through social media and later a statement, condemned the violence, the riots and those individuals participating.”

Rep. Feenstra is in his first week representing Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District, which covers the northwest and north-central parts of Iowa. He unseated Rep. Steve King in the Republican primary in June and went on to win election in November.

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