Amid rising concerns of additional violence during national leadership transition, including in Michigan, McDonald calls for peaceful gatherings, says Oakland County will prosecute politically-motivated violence, hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law.

PONTIAC, MI - Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. MCDONALD issued the following statement in response to last week's events at the United States Capitol and concerns of additional police violence in the week to come:

"I strongly condemn the illegal actions of those who infiltrated the U.S. Capitol seeking to harm our nation's democracy last week. The actions of those who stormed the Capitol make a mockery of our country's cherished values of pluralism and the rule of law. My office stands with all of Oakland County against these, and all other acts of violence and hatred, and in mourning for those who lost their lives, including Capitol Police Officers Sicknick and Liebengood."

"My office also stands ready to collaborate and assist municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies related to last week's incidents in Washington, D.C. if called upon to do so."

"I know that the political atmosphere in our country and state is tense right now, but I urge all residents of Oakland County to act judicously and according to the law, especially those who plan to attend political gatherings over the next week. While we steadfastly uphold evert citizen's sacred constitutional right to make their voice heard, my office will not hesitate to prosecute politically-motivated crimes committed in any jurisdiction in Oakland County to the fullest extent of the law."

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CONTACT: Betsey Hage, Chief of Administration