PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley is urging South Dakotans to support a peaceful transition of power after the presidential election.
On January 6, 2021, a mob of supporters for then-U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol Building two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. Six people died, many were injured, including 174 police officers.
More than 1,265 defendants have been charged in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Approximately 718 of those individuals have pleaded guilty to a variety of federal charges, many of whom were incarcerated at sentencing. Approximately 213 have pleaded guilty to felonies. Losses that resulted from the breach of the Capitol, including damage to the Capitol building and grounds, both inside and outside the building came at a cost of approximately $2,881,360.
Now, Attorneys General from across the nation formed a bi-partisan group to encourage calm after the 2024 race.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined his peers from across the nation in calling for a peaceful transition of power this election.
He joins 51 other Attorneys General from US states and territories in the call to support the nation’s democratic system. “Any election issues will be resolved legally and in an orderly means without violence or property damage,” Jackley said in a news release.
He observed it is a concern with merit.
“I think everybody recognizes the divisiveness of this election across our nation,” Jackley said. “I was certainly concerned enough nationally to be a part of this. I’ve always promoted we can have disagreements and not be disagreeable, and I think that’s what separates the Attorneys General from Washington (DC). I just see, nationally, there are going to be some likely issues, and we felt we could be a responsible, calming voice.”
He said the value of your vote shouldn’t be forgotten.
“A lot of Americans have sacrificed for us to have the right to vote,” Jackley said. “I’d just encourage all South Dakotans to go exercise that freedom to vote, and hopefully we have a safe and good election day.”
The Attorneys General statement can be found below:
“Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, we expect that Americans will respond peacefully and we condemn any acts of violence related to the results. A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nation’s stability. As Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles we serve.
We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process. Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.”
