By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Criticism continues from within the President’s own party after Wednesday’s riots at the Capitol.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap), who has been firmly in the Trump camp, says it’s at least partly President Trump’s fault. “He was part of the rally in the morning,” LaHood said in an interview. “He encouraged people to go to the Capitol to protest. Some of the things he said at that rally clearly incentivized and encouraged people to go up there, and that’s part of the problem.”

During the President’s term, LaHood has indicated the gains of the Trump administration overshadowed his less-celebrated traits, including the language he used during the pre-election “Access Hollywood” video. Now, though, LaHood says the Trump verdict is mixed.

“I think if you look at his personality, there are many things that I wish he would have done differently. I wish he would have had much more humility. I wish he would have taken things much more seriously  I think all of us expected him to act more presidential, but when I look at the things he was able to accomplish, (they included) arguably the best economy we have had in my lifetime prior to COVID.”

LaHood says he was on the House floor Wednesday afternoon, heard the protestors, saw them through a window, and headed for the tunnels. Once the House resumed its session, LaHood voted to certify the election results.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].