President Trump on Monday privately and falsely blamed “antifa” people for storming the Capitol, although there is clear video and documentation evidence that riot police were overwhelmingly supporters of Trump.
Why it’s important: Despite facing a vote of dismissal for an assault he helped incite, the outgoing president continues to keep his proven and true playbook of diversion and conspiracy.
Behind the scenes: In a tense, 30-minute phone call this morning with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Trump drew the Antifa line.
- McCarthy would have nothing to do with it, telling the president, “It’s not Antifa, it’s MAGIC. I know. I was there,” according to a White House official and another source familiar with the call.
- The White House official said the call was tense and aggressive at times, with Trump arguing about election fraud and an exasperated McCarthy who said, “Stop it. It’s over. The election is over. “.
McCarthy, who faces the big role for his role in encouraging dissent over the outcome of the election, he went further:
- He told Trump he had to call Joe Biden, meet with the president-elect and follow tradition and leave a welcome letter at the Resolute Desk for his successor.
- The president told him he had not decided whether to do it for Biden.
A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In depth: McCarthy: “Undoubtedly” there is no evidence that Antifa participated in the deadly siege of the Capitol