Democrat says anti-Israel protests 'scared me more than January 6': Fury from lawmakers after pro-Palestinian marchers stormed the DNC and injured SIX officers

A Democrat lawmaker inside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters on Wednesday night said they were more scared when violent pro-Palestinian protesters descended on the building than during the January 6 Capitol riot.

The DNC was hosting a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee candidate event when protesters with IfNotNow and other left-wing pro-Palestinian groups starting violently demonstrating outside the building and clashing with law enforcement.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar and DCCC Chair Suzane DelBene released a joint statement claiming the DNC protesters 'escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration.'

'We strongly support the First Amendment right to freedom of expression and encourage anyone exercising that right to do so peacefully,' the Democrat leaders wrote.

IfNotNow's national spokesperson said 'the goal was just to block the door in non-violent civil disobedience.'

But a House Democrat who was present at the DNC, along with Jeffries and other leaders, told Axios: 'It scared me more than January 6.'

Another wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the violence exhibited was a surefire way to make sure Republicans are voted into office in the next election.

The comparison to January 6 is a strong one considering participants who rioted at the Capitol are still faces legal repercussions and former President Donald Trump continues to face lawsuits over whether he engaged in an insurrection that day.

The violence comes as Americans continue to clash over the war between Israel and Hamas terrorists based in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

Pro-Israel groups claim that pro-Palestinian groups want to wipe Israel – and Jewish people – off the map. While Pro-Palestinian activists claim that Jewish people wrongfully 'occupy' the land that is internationally recognized as Israel. 

Hamas, the de facto government of Gaza, launched terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7 that led to the largest single-day massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. Since then, Israel has carried out counterstrikes against Gaza that have resulted in thousands of Palestinian deaths.

Besides a few progressive lawmakers, most Republicans and Democrats in Congress have rallied around Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorists.

Pro-Palestinian activists say this is unacceptable and are lashing out against even Democrat lawmakers for not demanding a ceasefire.

Among those present at the DNC event during the clashes on Wednesday were Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).

Jeffries was part of the group of bipartisan lawmakers who spoke at the pro-Israel March in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

Sherman wrote on X of the violence: 'Apparently, these pro-Hamas demonstrators want Republicans to prevail in the next Congressional election.'

He detailed: 'Was just evacuated from the DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.'

'Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely,' Rep. Sherman added.

Shortly after protesters organized outside the DNC building in Washington, DC, the scene quickly turned violent when law enforcement, which included US Capitol Police officers, told the demonstrators to move back from the building where lawmakers were currently gathered.

Eva Borgwardt, IfNotNow national spokesperson, said that when the pro-Palestinian groups refused to comply with police orders, it prompted 'the most brutal police response I have ever seen.'

The lawmaker who spoke to Axios detailed that they were about to leave the DNC Headquarters and return to the Capitol when police told them not to exit.

'Someone sent out word for people to come [back] and police said it's not safe,' the lawmaker said. 'Police were wearing gas masks ... this was not peaceful.'

The images and videos outside the building just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol quickly went viral as protesters were seen targeting law enforcement, hitting them with pepper spray, bike racks and fists.

US Capitol Police (USCP) released a statement Thursday morning that six officers were treated for injuries – including one female officer who was punched in the face by a 24-year-old male protester from New York who was arrested for assaulting a police officer.

IfNotNow, which led the protest, released their own statement Thursday claiming more than 90 of their protesters were injured in the clashes.

House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the attack on DNC Headquarters by 'pro-Hamas protesters.'

'As Americans, we must unite with one voice in steadfast support of our ally Israel,' he wrote in a statement. 'I want to thank the officers with the U.S. Capitol Police who worked quickly to evacuate members, staff and civilians and arrest those engaged in violence.'

'Congress will not be intimidated by this vile display of anti-Semitism.'