It took a few days, but members of Congress finally started to speak out in large numbers on Thursday about the shooting death of a young black man in Ferguson, Missouri, as President Obama appealed for calm and Democrats demanded hearings in Congress on the reaction of local police.
While lawmakers from Missouri immediately called for a full review of the shooting early this week, and welcomed the quick move by the FBI to get involved, most lawmakers - and President Obama - stayed on the sidelines until events in Ferguson seemed to force their hand.
The President didn't make his first official comment until the White House issued a statement late on Tuesday afternoon, as he labeled the death of 18 year old Michael Brown "heartbreaking" and urged calm in the town of Ferguson.
On Wednesday, the President was briefed by Attorney General Eric Holder on the matter; more violence on Wednesday night finally brought Mr. Obama before TV cameras on Martha's Vineyard on Thursday afternoon.
"Now is the time for peace and calm on the streets of Ferguson," the President said. "Now is the time for an open and transparent process to see that justice is done."
Congress starts to speak out
Other than a handful of Missouri lawmakers, most of the Congress was silent until Wednesday evening, when further violence erupted in Ferguson, and police moved in with what looked like military equipment in an effort to restore order.
"Is this a war zone or a US city?" asked Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) on Twitter, who led a group of more Libertarian Republicans in questioning the police response in Ferguson.
"We must demilitarize the police," said Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
"This is America, not a war zone," observed Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). "We all want answers," the liberal Democrat wrote on Twitter.
"Arresting reporters for no apparent reason just the latest of injustices," added Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR).
Once President Obama addressed the Ferguson matter, that unleashed even more reaction from the Congress - almost like some lawmakers were waiting for the cue to be more outspoken about this story.
"This is America, and in this country we have a right to protest in a peaceful, orderly non-violent fashion, and the press should be free to cover these protests without fear," said Rep. John Lewis (D-GA).
"We will not stop these types of confrontations with the police unless there is a national investigation of police and community relations," said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).
Meanwhile, the Attorney General Holder seemed to take a shot at local police, and how they have responded.
"Those who peacefully gather to express sympathy for the family of Michael Brown must have their rights respected at all times," said Holder in a written statement. "And journalists must not be harassed or prevented from covering a story that needs to be told."
Late Thursday, a group of Democrats called on Republicans to hold hearings about the shooting and the police response in Missouri.
"These incidents raise concerns that local law enforcement is out of control," said a letter from three House Democrats, who said the events deserve "immediate congressional scrutiny."
You can read that letter here.
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