President Trump personally – and falsely – blamed “Antifa people” on Monday for storming the Capitol, although there is clear video and documentary evidence showing that the rioters were predominantly Trump supporters.
Why it matters: Despite an impeachment vote for an assault he helped incite, the outgoing president still clings to his tried-and-true playbook of averting and pursuing conspiracies.
Behind the scenes: In a tense over 30-minute phone conversation this morning with Kevin McCarthy, the house’s minority leader, Trump trotted out the Antifa line.
- McCarthy wanted none of it and told the president, “It’s not Antifa, it’s MAGA. I know. I was there,” said 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 ranting about electoral fraud and an exasperated McCarthy stepping in to say, “Stop it. It’s over. The election is over.”
McCarthy, who is facing a major backlash for his role in encouraging dissent on the election results, continued:
- He told Trump to call Joe Biden, meet 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 this for Biden.
A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Go deeper: McCarthy: “Undisputed” No Evidence Antifa Participated In Deadly Siege Of Capitol