Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay spoke with Capital Tonight earlier today during the height of the unfolding violence at the Capitol in Washington D.C.

“I don’t think anybody has a problem with people protesting, but when it turns violent, I think it’s a real tragedy,” Will Barclay said.

Barclay informed us that he had just spoken with former Assemblyman, now Congressman, Andrew Garbarino NY-2, and he is safe, but, “he said it’s pandemonium down there.”

When asked if the violence can be blamed on President Trump’s rhetoric and repeated claims of election fraud, Barclay said, “I would hope that the president now comes forward and says this type of behavior is unacceptable, it’s not American, it’s not a Republican and it’s not a Democratic value.”

After the interview, in a pre-taped comment, the president asked protesters to return to their homes, but not before reiterating that the election was fraudulent and that he loved them.

The first day of the legislative session in Albany was a “nice event, but a little different,” said Barclay, whose conference has 11 new members.   

“We had a good turnout within the chamber but we had to limit it to under 30 people,” he explained.

Earlier today Governor Cuomo announced that he would pursue legislation to legalize both medical marijuana and mobile sports betting. On both issues, Barclay said he wants to see the details of what is being proposed.