Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) was elected to his first term in 2018.
(FILE PHOTO: Tyler Lake/WTIU)
Nine hours after claiming he would refuse to approve electors from Arizona, United States Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) reversed his course.
The sudden revolution is likely the effect of an insurrection that took place at United States Capitol earlier Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of pro-Trump extremists stormed the Capitol delaying most electors’ approval.
Numerous attempts to contact the senator were unreturned.
Late Wednesday night, Braun posted a statement to Twitter writing "today’s events changed things drastically. Though I will continue to push for a thorough investigation into the election irregularities many Hoosiers are concerned with as my objection was intended, I have withdrawn that objection and will vote to get this ugly day behind us."
Braun was initially among 11 Senate Republicans that objected approval, and called on Congress to “immediately appoint an Electoral Commission, with full investigatory and fact-finding authority, to conduct an emergency 10-day audit of the election returns in the disputed states.”
The Constitution directs states to oversee and administer elections. Dozens of local election officials insist adequate investigations yield no evidence of large-scale fraud that changed the 2020 Presidential election’s outcome.
Following the insurrection, Braun released a brief statement addressing the actions of pro-Trump extremists via email.
"What we’re seeing at the Capitol is wrong, hurts the cause of election integrity, and needs to stop immediately," he said. "Rioting and violence are never acceptable."
Earlier in the day, Braun joined other Republicans refusing a vote to certify the result of the presidential election.
Braun’s colleague, Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) spoke out against the insurrection on Twitter.
“In America we have a right to peacefully protest,” he said. “But what has occurred today goes against everything we stand for as a nation. This is not a peaceful protest – it is violence and it is reprehensible. This must stop.”
As expected, Young voted to approve electors from all states.
In a standoff with protestors Wednesday morning—before the insurrection—Young passionately defended his vote.
“Our opinions don’t matter,” Young said in part. “The law matters.”
Republican senators are being swarmed by Trump protesters on the Hill. Here’s an exasperated @SenToddYoung saying he won’t vote against certifying the election.
U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Jimtown), Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) and Jim Baird (R-Greencastle) voted to object to presidential election results in key states. U.S. Rep. Greg Pence (R-Columbus), Vice President Mike Pence's brother, voted to object to Pennsylvania's Electoral College votes.
