'Where was Nancy Pelosi?' Lindsey Graham 'shifts blame' on House Speaker for Capitol riots over weak security
At a time when the world has abandoned Donald Trump, he stands in the midst of his decaying political career. But it looks like the President might still have some friends looking out for him. Trump's longtime ally Lindsey Graham came to his rescue with his latest comments on the US Capitol riots that shook the nation. In a desperate move to perhaps shift public opinion about Trump, since it is already too late to do anything officially given Trump's impeachment from office. Graham blamed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the US Capitol riots, claiming that she "didn't provide enough security".
Speaking to Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, Graham said, "To see people come and take over the Capitol - the House and the Senate - beat officers, defile the seat of government - how in the hell could that happen?"
"Where was Nancy Pelosi? It's her job to provide Capitol security," he also said, adding, "We'll get to the bottom of that". Responding to Graham, Pelosi's Chief of Staff Drew Hammill slammed the Republican Senator for attempting to 'disgracefully' "shift blame". Taking to Twitter to slam Graham, Hammill wrote, "This disgraceful attempt to shift blame for the mob attack on the Capitol is absurd & pathetic. He need only look in the mirror if he wants to start pointing a finger. He has repeatedly cast doubts on results of a fair election & dangerously fanned flames of rightwing quackery."
This disgraceful attempt to shift blame for the mob attack on the Capitol is absurd & pathetic. He need only look in the mirror if he wants to start pointing a finger. He has repeatedly cast doubts on results of a fair election & dangerously fanned flames of rightwing quackery. https://t.co/jsKfj0H61K
— Drew Hammill (@Drew_Hammill) January 17, 2021
On the morning of January 6, 2021, Trump told his supporters to go to Congress and "fight like hell" to take back the election that was stolen from them. The violent insurrection led to the deaths of five people, including a police officer.
Many of the rioters who took the law in their hands on January 6, 2021, say they were taking the cue from Trump. Texas realtor Jenna Ryan said they were "following orders" from the president. Another rioter named Ryan told KTVT, "I listen to my president who told me to go to the Capitol."
However, Graham said, "President Trump is trying to heal the nation." In the same breath, he had warnings for Joe Biden. "Pursuing impeachment after he leaves the office will further divide the country, it will ruin the start of your Presidency, Joe Biden. You need to stand up to the radical left and tell [incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck ] Schumer to dismiss what I think is an unconstitutional attempt to impeach President Trump out of office."
Ten Republicans voted to impeach Trump, leaving the final vote 232 to 197. And Graham had words of warning for them too. "To my Republican colleagues in the Senate: If we embraced an unconstitutional impeachment of Donald Trump after he's out of office, it will destroy the party."