Members of the National Guard arrive to secure the area outside the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

By Troy Gillard

Campaigned for Trump in 2016

Devin Dreeshen issues brief statement on violence at U.S. Capitol

Jan 6, 2021 | 6:17 PM

A local MLA who worked on Donald Trump’s presidential election campaign in 2016 has issued a brief statement regarding Wednesday’s violence in Washington, D.C.

Angry supporters of President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol, marching through the building, shouting and waving Trump and American flags and forcing a halt to congressional deliberations over challenges to Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory.

Devin Dreeshen, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA and Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, worked on Trump’s 2016 campaign.

“Minister Dreeshen denounces all forms of political violence, including what is taking place in Washington, D.C. today. Voters are the ultimate deciders, and that must be respected by all,” read a statement shared Wednesday by Justin Laurence, Dreeshen’s press secretary.

“Minister Dreeshen is focused on the lives and livelihoods of Albertans.”

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Devin Dreeshen at a Donald Trump election night event in New York City on November 8, 2016. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In November 2016, Dreeshen and another conservative political activist penned a lengthy article in the Hill Times in Ottawa chronicling their work on Trump’s campaign. They wrote that they campaigned off and on between February and November of that year, and visited 28 states.

Then-UCP leader Jason Kenney said in July 2018 shortly after Dreeshen won a by-election to become MLA that his work with Trump was publicly documented, and that he saw no problem with it.

Premier Kenney took to Twitter on Wednesday to share his thoughts on what unfolded at the U.S. Capitol.

“Alberta has always had close ties to the United States, so it’s painful to watch the bizarre scenes unfolding at the US Capitol today,” he tweeted. “Political violence is always wrong, especially when it seeks to interrupt the peaceful transition of power in a democracy.”

Kenney added, “The United States must be an example of democracy to the world. I hope that order is urgently restored, and that duly-elected President Joe Biden is certified and sworn in without further disruption from the opponents of democracy.”

NDP leader Rachel Notley went much further with her statement about the “disorder” in Washington, D.C.

“The scene unfolding in Washington D.C. today is shocking,” she said.

“This dangerous and troubling situation was caused, and is being fueled by, the dangerous rhetoric of Donald Trump; a man who emboldened extremists, racists, and white supremacists and who openly condones this kind of assault on our democracy. Leadership matters and leaders matter. Today showed that more than ever.”

Notley added, “Our shared belief and commitment to democracy is stronger than this. Our relationship with our neighbours to the south will always be important to Albertans. I continue to hope for a swift and peaceful resolution so that Americans, and Albertans alike can work together toward an end to this pandemic, and a renewed economy that benefits and serves us all.”

(With file from stories by The Associated Press and Lauren Krugel – The Canadian Press)