COLUMBUS, Ohio — Large crowds of pro-Trump protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon as legislators prepared to count the Electoral College votes that would declare Democrat Joe Biden as president.

The Capitol was locked down as protestors made their way inside the building and pushed toward the U.S. House and Senate chambers.

Multiple Ohio lawmakers reacted to the situation happening in Washington D.C.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine made the following statement:

"This is an embarrassment to our country. This must stop immediately. The President should call for the demonstrators to leave our Capitol Building. The final step in the constitutional process of electing our president has been disrupted. The stopping of the count of the Electoral College votes has occurred because the security of the U.S. Capitol has been breached by a violent mob. As a nation of laws, this is simply not acceptable. Lawlessness is not acceptable.  This is an affront to our Constitution and everything we hold dear. Those who breached the Capitol breached the Constitution.  Peaceful demonstrations outside the Capitol are an exercise of the demonstrators’ First Amendment rights.  Stopping the constitutional process by which we elect the president is not."

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released the following statement:

"The rule of law means the same rules for everybody. Those of us who called for prosecution of the people who stormed the federal courthouse in Portland must apply the same demand to those who stormed the Capitol today. The color of your skin or the slogan upon your banner must not change what is and is not acceptable. 

Let all of us in Ohio remain peaceful. Do not let a sense of injustice produce more injustice."  

Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) today issued the following statement.

“I strongly condemn the vandalism and violence occurring in our nation’s capital and across our country. It must end immediately. It dangerously undermines the Rule of Law.  Violence and vandalism are not peaceful protest nor free speech. I urge all Americans to support law enforcement as they work to restore proper order so that constitutional processes can resume.”