BREAKING: Sen. Graham says Trump’s presidency ‘was tarnished by yesterday’ and called out the media for their coverage

He said that he was disappointed that Trump "allowed yesterday to happen," and that it was a "self-inflicted wound." Graham added that "The Trump presidency has been covered poorly" by the media.

Graham said that many Republicans believe that Democrats never believed that the Trump presidency was legitimate, and that this has been a "constant drumbeat."

Graham called out Trump's legal team for having stoked the flamed of division and saying that they were at fault for insisting that the election was stolen.

He said that the rally was "unseemly, and got out of hand." While he supported Trump and was in favour of his presidency, he directly does not approve of the actions taken by Trump or his allies.

He encouraged those who would resign their posts to stay on, and said that Joe Biden is the legitimate president of the United States, unequivocally. He said his colleagues "didn't do anything illegal" in objecting to the Electoral Vote certification, but that he doesn't agree with their actions.

He decried the potential use of the 25th Amendment and said that the transition is "going well," and there's no reason the transfer of power would not occur in a peaceful way.

He said he was "disgusted and embarrassed" that the Senate would have been "driven out of its chamber 2o years after 9/11."

"It is mind-boggling that such an event could occur," he said, and that the Senate Sergeant of Arms has been asked to resign. He said it was important to "hold those accountable for failing to defend the capitol."

Graham called those who stormed the Capitol "terrorists," and called out those who have been "looting in the name of social justice." He said, "this needs to stop."

"Let's reset, and move forward," he said, and spoke to every political movement out there saying that they need to know that if the violate the law during the course of political protest they would be prosecuted.

Graham said he was interviewed by FBI agents, and said it would "not be hard to find thousands of people who took the law into their own hands."

He said, "sedition may be a charge for some of these people."

Graham said that he would be asking the Department of Justice weekly, over the course of his six year term, how they are holding those who stormed the Capitol accountable for their actions

"This is a moment for the nation to show will and determination," he said, and "anarchy does not reign."

Graham said that there was no validity to the claims of election fraud, per the lower court rulings.

He called out the legal team of the Trump campaign for spreading misinformation in Georgia and Arizona, and said "this needs to end." He said the "outcome that was reached was disappointing to those who supported the president," but that it was still the legal outcome.

"The congress job is not to overturn elections that we disagree with," he said, but to "count the votes that are sent in by the states."

Graham praised Vice President Mike Pence for his efforts and stalwart position, saying he "faithfully fulfilled the duty assigned to any Vice President to count the votes," and to state the winner.

"Be careful what you wish for," he said to those who would wish Pence had overturned the vote, because no one should have that kind of power.

"I want every Republican to know that... limited government applies when you don't like the outcome just as it applies when you do like the outcome" and called for people to follow the law of the Constitution as the "very essence of activism."

He said that some used this "moment to advance their personal causes," and that "moments like this can come back to haunt you if you're doing something you shouldn't be doing." Graham encouraged Trump to focus on "the achievements he has accomplished," and "to turn down the rhetoric and allow" the nation to "heal and move forward."

He called on Democrats to do the same.

Graham said that while he initially opposed Trump, his constituents wanted him to "work with this president and I did." He also said that Trump's actions changed his mind about him, saying that he "has done tremendous things for this country."