A West Virginia lawmaker who filmed himself and supporters of President Donald Trump storming into the U.S. Capitol announced Saturday that he is resigning, effectively immediately. State Delegate Derrick Evans' lawyer told CBS affiliate WVNS-TV on Friday that he would not step down and that he "committed no criminal act that day."
Evans reversed course on Saturday, saying in a statement that he now felt it was best to resign his seat in the House "and focus on my personal situation and those I love." He faced bipartisan calls for his resignation as federal prosecutors step up their pursuit of violent perpetrators.
"I take full responsibility for my actions, and deeply regret any hurt, pain or embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends, constituents and fellow West Virginians," Evans said in a statement. "I hope this action I take today can remove any cloud of distraction from the state Legislature, so my colleagues can get to work in earnest building a brighter future for our state. And more importantly, I hope it helps to begin the healing process, so we can all move forward and come together as 'One Nation, Under God.'"