WASHINGTON DC (WTVF) — The deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday was terrifying and heartbreaking. As an angry mob stormed through the halls of Congress, Tennessee Representative Jim Cooper and his staff hid in a locked office.
A day later, Cooper said things are returning to normal, but the Congressman still feels a very real danger remains from a President who he thinks has lost his mind.
"He seems to have lost his faculties. It's a very dangerous time for our country," said Cooper.
Cooper and his staff were in lockdown for more than seven hours during the riot. It was bad, but he says it could have been worse. Cooper observed those in the mob seemed surprised at the ease they gained access to the U.S. Capitol.
"The Capitol police seemed overwhelmed if not sometimes complicit with the rioters," said Cooper.
He and others will question the apparent lack of security. But, his main concern now is President Trump, who he says incited the violence.
"Well, I'm for whatever gets him out of office the fastest," Cooper explained.
Cooper worries about what the President might still do between now and the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
"We really need to be on guard the next two weeks because it could be a very dangerous period," he said.
There's talk the President's own concerned staff might seek to remove him as unfit for office.
"The 25th Amendment? Is the cabinet going to take him on? I doubt it. These are all his toadies and sycophants," said Cooper.
He is also hopeful those who raided and damaged the U.S. Capitol and then walked away are held accountable.
"I'm watching the pictures myself and a lot of perpetrators should be brought to the justice system. It was outrageous."
Constitutional attorney David Raybin agrees and says there's little doubt federal authorities will be coming for them.
"They'll go through the videos ... identify the people and bring them to justice," said Raybin.
But that will come later. For now, Cooper says the focus will simply be getting the country through the next two weeks and a peaceful transition of power.
Listen to Cooper's full interview moments after the Capitol riot:
