KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
January 7, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
The world watched in horror as a mob turned into a deadly insurrection breaching the U.S. Capitol’s walls yesterday. One of Katy’s own remained with armed officers inside the House chambers after the room was evacuated. From behind a barricade, Congressman Troy Nehls talked to some of the rioters through a broken window.
Congressman Troy Nehls, while unarmed, joined police to aid in calming rioters yesterday.
Freshman Congressman Troy E. Nehls stood shoulder to shoulder with Capitol police during the deadly insurrection in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, January 6.
30 Years of Law Enforcement, Military Training Took Over
“I was thinking that we can’t let them breach those doors,” says former Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. “I’ve been in combat and you do what you’re trained to.”
The Fort Bend County Congressman tried to calm the situation by talking to some of the rioters.
“It was an extremely chaotic scene and there was a lot of anger,” says Nehls.
Objected to Electoral Votes
Nehls objected to the count of electoral votes yesterday in the joint session.
“All folks want is a review of this election to ensure there was sufficient election integrity, but Democrats refuse,” he says.
Despite his objection, Nehls strongly spoke out against the actions of the rioters.
“This is America, the greatest country in the world,” he says. “We are better than this. We can disagree and protest, but violence is never the answer and must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
On Fox News last night, Nehls asked, “Who in their right mind would have thought you’d have a group of individuals storm the Capitol?”
Nehls received national recognition for his actions of assisting with the barricade during what he described as a “very tense situation.” Last night, when the house re-convened, Congressman Kevin McCarthy called out Nehls in praise for his actions.
“I did my best to calm the situation and help the agents at the door anyway I could,” says Nehls, who has served in law enforcement for 30 years.
'We Must Do Better'
Over half of the GOP, including Nehls, voted to object the count of electoral votes even after the insurrection that delayed their meeting. Still, Congress affirmed Joe Biden’s presidential win.
“We need to get back to where we can sit at the kitchen table and have a conversation,” says Nehls. “As Americans, we must do better.”