President Trump on Monday, in particular – and falsely – blamed the “people of Antifa” for invading the Capitol, although there is video and documentary evidence showing that the protesters were overwhelmingly supporters of Trump.
Why it matters: Despite facing an impeachment vote for an assault he helped incite, the president who is stepping down still has his book tested and proven to deflect and pursue conspiracies.
Behind the scenes: In a tense phone call of more than 30 minutes this morning with minority leader in the House, Kevin McCarthy, Trump trotted out of the Antifa line.
- McCarthy declined, saying to the president, “It’s not Antifa, it’s MAGA. 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 complaining about electoral fraud and an exasperated McCarthy interrupting to say, “Stop it. It’s over. The election is over.”
McCarthy, who faces a major setback for his role in encouraging dissent over the election result, he went further:
- He told Trump that he should call Joe Biden, meet with the president-elect, follow the tradition and leave a welcome letter to his successor at the Resolute Desk.
- The president said 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: “Arguably” no evidence that Antifa participated in the Capitol’s deadly siege