Kinzinger now. (Also a veteran.) Clip of McCarthy blaming Trump for inaction. Also Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley says he should have done something.
What explains Trump's behavior? The mob attacking the Capitol gave Trump what he wanted: the delaying of the electoral count. Trump didn't FAIL to act. He CHOSE not to act.
Witnesses: Matthew Pottinger and Sarah Matthews. Pottinger is also a veteran. Matthews is former deputy press secretary. Both resigned after the events of January 6.
Pottinger explains his role as deputy national security advisor to Trump. He's a true believer. Talking about how good Trump's national security policies were.
Matthews emphasizes, too, that she's a Republican. (Good article in... I think it was the Washington Post... from two political scientists about how hearing from REPUBLICANS-- but not Democrats-- changes Republican minds.)
Luria: security official has told the committee that the White House knew there were weapons in the crowd. Official says they "were all in shock" at idea Trump was marching to the Capitol. It would turn a rally into a coup.
Luria says that Tony Ornato said the president was "irate" when not allowed to go to the Capitol. (They're supporting Cassidy Hutchinson here.) Another police officer supports that account.
Robinson says Trump wanted to go to the Capitol. Back at White House, put on standby to see if Trump could go to the Capitol. 45 minutes to an hour to see if Trump was going to go to the Capitol.
No official record of what Trump did. Call logs are blank. Presidential daily diary is also blank. No photos. Chief White House photographer wanted to take pictures, but was told no.
Kinzinger: Trump's staff begged him to condemn the violence and tell the crowd to go home. Cipollone says he was emphatic and clear that people needed to know they had to leave the Capitol.
Matthews and Ben Williamson (?) agreed Trump needed to get out there fast to call things off. Press guy Judd Deere, too, went to talk to press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Secret Service tried to get a safe path out for Pence. It was a very close thing. Trump's national security team was listening to the discussion about Pence's security.
What was meant by the comment that the agents did not "sound good right now"? It means they were worried for their own lives. Called to say goodbye to their family members.
Trump did not try to calm his supporters. Instead, he sent the 2:24 tweet saying "Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done...." Put a target on his own vice president's back.
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