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Graham wanted a stronger police response during the Capitol Riot, The Washington Post reported.
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“What are you doing? Take back the Senate! You have weapons. Use them,” he reportedly told the officers.
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Graham condemned the riot, but backed Trump despite his allegations of voter fraud.
Senator Lindsey Graham urged Capitol Hill police to shoot the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan.6, according to a new report from the Washington Post.
The Post’s detailed account provides new details of the chaotic attack on Capitol Hill, including panic as lawmakers rushed to evacuate.
Many were taken to a safe place, although some senators, including Graham, initially remained on the Senate floor.
The Post wrote that Graham “was furious that the senators had been forced to flee their own chambers. He shouted at the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. ” What do you do ? Take back the Senate! You have weapons. Use them. “
According to the report, he then repeated to himself, “We give you weapons for a reason. Use them.”
The report also says Graham and other Republican senators attempted to contact President Donald Trump, urging him to dismiss his supporters.
Graham, according to the report, “called Ivanka Trump [Donald Trump’s eldest daughter and advisor] repeatedly with suggestions on what the president should say. “
He allegedly told her, “This thing is going south.” It’s not good. You’re going to have to tell these people to withdraw.
Prior to the riot, Graham was among senior Republicans promoting Trump’s baseless claims that the election was stolen from him.
Conspiracy theory prompted Trump supporters to attack Capitol Hill, where lawmakers had gathered to certify Joe Biden’s victory over Trump.
Five people died in the attack, including Trump supporter Ashli ​​Babbitt, who was shot dead by a Capitol Hill police officer
Trump in October called Babbitt “unbelievable,” claimed his murder was unnecessary and demanded justice for his family.
In a statement to the Post, the Trump spokesperson called those who marched on Capitol Hill “agitators not associated with President Trump.”
In the aftermath of the riot, Graham in a speech in the Senate said “count me aside,” apparently dropping Trump and his allegations of voter fraud.
However, since then Graham has remained close to Trump, who has stuck to his stolen election claims while apparently preparing for a second presidential campaign in 2024.
Read the original article on Business Insider
