Capitol riot hearing: White House brawl, ‘a call to arms’, Twitter worker’s fears about Trump tweet | US News

New, damning accusations about the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency surfaced in the latest hearing on the Capitol riots.

One committee member said the latest revelations made Watergate – one of the biggest scandals in US political history – like “a spy meeting of the cubs”.

Here are five things we learned during Tuesday’s hearing.

1. Trump tried to call a future witness

It is reported that Donald Trump tried to call someone due to give evidence of the storm by Congress on January 6, 2021.

The witness did not take the call, and instead informed their attorney.

Attempts to contact have now been forwarded to the US Department of Justice.

2. There was a fight in the White House

The events of December 18, 2020 are at the heart of this latest hearing.

This was the day a group of “Stop The Steal” lawyers and activists attended a secret meeting with the president in the Oval Office without the knowledge of senior White House staffers.

They suggested that Donald Trump instructed the US military to seize voting machines to help find evidence of election fraud.

When officials realized the meeting was going on, they interrupted – leading to a “fight” with shouting, profanity and threats of violence.

An aide commented: “The West Wing is unchanged.”

3. Trump tweets as ‘a call to arms’

In early December 19, Mr Trump later tweeted about a “massive rally” planned for January 6, where he wrote: “Be there, it will be wild!”

Stephanie Murphy, a Democrat on the panel, said the tweet “acts as a call to action and in some cases a call to arms”.

The hearing highlighted graphic and violent text messages sent after that tweet – as well as videos of right-wing figures including Alex Jones.

They swore that January 6 would be the day they fought for the presidency.

Messages pervading far-right forums lay out plans for the big day they say Trump is demanding in Washington.

It will be a “red wedding”, it is said, a reference to a Game Of Thrones serial killer. “Wear handcuffs.”

Others talked about killing police officers.

4. Twitter staff worried people might die

An unnamed Twitter employee, who gave evidence to the hearing, revealed he had a sleepless night on January 5 – and was worried people would die the next day after the protest. of Trump takes place.

Twitter employees’ worst fears were confirmed when nine were left behind during and in the aftermath of the riot that followed when Trump supporters violently stormed the Capitol.

The committee revealed that the employee had repeated concerns about Trump’s tweets – including the one sent on December 19.

“It feels as if a mob is being organized and they’re regrouping their weapons and their logic and the reasoning behind why they’re preparing to fight,” he said.

Responses to Trump’s tweets included references to being “locked and loaded” and calls for “civil war”.

Twitter responded by saying it had taken “unprecedented steps” in response to threats during the 2020 election.

5. Trump aides believe the president’s rhetoric leads to death

Text messages show Trump aide Brad Parscale feels the president’s rhetoric on January 6 directly led to the violence and death of protester Ashli ​​Babbitt.

The 35-year-old was shot dead by police during the uprising.

“A sitting president asking for civil war. This week, I feel guilty for helping him win,” Parscale wrote. “A dead woman.”