Tag: Trump big lie

D.C. Guard chief says ‘unusual’ restrictions slowed deployment of backup during Capitol riot

Washington Post logo

The commanding general of the D.C. National Guard told lawmakers Wednesday that restrictions the Pentagon placed on him in the run-up to the Capitol riot and lag time in decision-making by his chain of command prevented him from more quickly sending forces to help quell the violence.

Maj. Gen. William J. Walker said his hands were tied by the Pentagon for more than three hours after he received a call from the Capitol Police chief saying a request for backup was imminent, delaying the arrival of military forces at the premises as lawmakers evacuated or barricaded themselves in offices during one of the biggest national security failures since the 9/11 attacks.

Walker described how he had troops ready and waiting to be sent to the Capitol but did not have sign-off from the Pentagon, which in directives ahead of the events had restricted his leeway to respond to contingencies. Continue reading.

Andy McCabe slams ‘disgraceful’ Senate GOP for trying to distract from FBI hearing with more election lies

Raw Story Logo

On CNN Tuesday, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe tore into Senate Republicans for their continued effort to push conspiracy theories surrounding the Capitol riot in January at the hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“How do you reconcile Republican members of Congress that swore an oath to the Constitution continuing to traffic in conspiracy theories and lies about the insurrection and the very serious and persistent threat from extremist groups, rightwing extremist groups Director Wray himself laid out today?” asked anchor Anderson Cooper. “Is there precedent for this?”

“Not that I’m aware of. It’s disgraceful,” said McCabe. “You accurately pointed out with the senators, they abandoned those lies long enough to ask questions about things like data collection and the threat from China, because they couldn’t reasonably put forth that nonsense in front of the FBI director who just laid waste to the lie by saying that no, in fact, the election was righteously conducted and that there was no Antifa in the protest. When it’s not convenient for them, they distract by looking at something else, but send them back to CPAC and I’m sure you’ll hear it again.” Continue reading.

‘Kraken’ Sidney Powell loses again as Supreme Court tosses her remaining attempts to overturn vote in Arizona and Wisconsin

Raw Story Logo

On Monday, BuzzFeed News justice correspondent Zoe Tillman reported that pro-Trump lawyer Sidney Powell suffered yet another blow, with the Supreme Court tossing her remaining petitions to challenge the results of the election in Arizona and Wisconsin.

Powell was originally cheered on by former President Donald Trump’s allies, with campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis saying she and Rudy Giuliani would “release the kraken” — a term that was swiftly picked up by adherents of the QAnon conspiracy theory.

But Powell’s challenges to election results around the country bungled basic facts, with her at one point apparently believing that Detroit was in Wisconsin. Powell’s antics swiftly embarrassed the Trump team, with Ellis issuing a statement making clear Powell was acting in her own capacity and not on behalf of the campaign. Continue reading.

Rep. Jim Jordan’s false claim that Pelosi denied a request for National Guard troops

Washington Post logo

“Capitol Police requested National Guard help prior to January 6th. That request was denied by Speaker Pelosi and her Sergeant at Arms.”

— Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), in a tweet, Feb. 15, 2021

Though the Capitol Hill insurrection was inspired by former president Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election and mounted by his followers, some Republicans have tried to pin the blame elsewhere. One prominent target is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), as this tweet indicates.

We were convinced by House Republican staff to hold off on fact-checking this tweet before last week’s testimony by key figures in the Capitol Hill security during the Jan. 6 events. But if anything, that testimony further undermined Jordan’s widely circulated tweet.

(Jordan also tweeted it “took over an hour” to get approval on Jan. 6 for National Guard support from “Pelosi’s team” after a request was made. We will hold off on fact-checking that, because there continues to be a gap between phone records and individual recollections of the calls. But the New York Times reported that video indicates Pelosi approved the request on the spot once the request was passed to her.) Continue reading.

Trump calls for GOP unity, repeats lies about election loss

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — Taking the stage for the first time since leaving office, former President Donald Trump called for GOP unity, even as he exacerbated intraparty divisions by attacking fellow Republicans and promoting lies about the election in a speech that made clear he intends to remain a dominant political force.

Speaking Sunday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he was hailed as a returning hero, Trump blasted his successor, President Joe Biden, and tried to lay out a vision for the future of the GOP that revolves firmly around him, despite his loss in November.

“Do you miss me yet?” Trump said after taking the stage to his old rally soundtrack and cheers from the supportive crowd. Continue reading.

Republicans Want No Independent Probe Of Jan. 6 Insurrection

Despite all the lamentations over the Republican Party –- the respectable party that supposedly existed before you-know-who ruined everything – it would be more honest to admit that the grand old party wasn’t so grand even back when. 

To take one timely example, Republicans have always resisted investigation of their leadership failures, even when the security of the nation was at stake.

At this moment, the constitutional imperative is to investigate, reveal, and respond to the forces behind the violent seizure of the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Dealing with the threat that horrendous incident now symbolizes ought to be a vital interest of both major political parties — whose legislators were nearly lynched by a ravening mob — as well as anyone who hopes to bequeath a democratic republic to our heirs. That is why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed a bipartisan national commission modeled on the panel that investigated the 9/11 attacks. Continue reading.

Trump Jr whines on Fox News that Republicans did not do enough to overturn the election

Raw Story Logo

The namesake son of former President Donald Trump complained that Republicans did not do enough to overturn the 2020 presidential campaign.

The remarks were a continuation of the “Big Lie” that Trump won the election that resulted the January 6th insurrection and Trump’s second impeachment.

“The Republicans aren’t willing to do it,” Trump, Jr. argued. “They’ve shown that over the decades, they’d just rather lose gracefully I guess.” Continue reading.