A new book New York Times journalists Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns offers previously unreported insight into Lindsey Graham‘s reported meltdown inside the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 insurrection and, we’ve gotta say, it seems right on brand for the anti-LGBTQ senator.
Related: This video of Lindsey Graham being heckled by anti-vax constituents is deeply cathartic
In “This Will Not Pass”, the authors write that, during the attack, Graham reportedly made a frantic call to the White House and said lawmakers would demand Cabinet members invoke the 25th Amendment to remove then-President Trump from power if he didn’t stop the MAGA militia at once.
Speaking to White House counsel Pat Cipollone, Graham allegedly threatened “We’ll be asking you for the 25th Amendment” if Trump didn’t do more to call off the rioters.
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We’re sure Cipollone was shaking in his boots after Graham told him this.
This latest tidbit of information comes after a November report by The Washington Post that said the South Carolina senator was a total mess during the siege, screaming at the Senate sergeant-at-arms, “What are you doing?! Take back the Senate! You’ve got guns! USE THEM!!!”
According to the report, Graham also called Ivanka Trump‘s personal cell phone to demand she get her dad to call off the attack.
“You need to get these people out of here,” Graham reportedly begged Ivanka. “This thing is going south. This is not good! You’re going to have to tell these people to stand down! STAND DOWN!”
Related: Lindsey Graham was a wreck during the insurrection, screamed wildly, called Ivanka to beg for help
According to the new Martin-Burns book, after things had calmed down, Graham expressed hope the attack might unite the country as he left the building later that evening.
“People will say, ‘I don’t want to be associated with that.’ … There will be a rallying effect for a while, the country says: We’re better than this,” he reportedly said.
Five weeks later, he voted against conviction in Trump’s second impeachment trial.
While you’re here, watch Sherrod Brown talk about how Graham “screamed” during the insurrection during an appearance on MSNBC last year.
WATCH: @SenSherrodBrown reports publicly for the first time that during the attack on the Capitol he saw a maskless Sen. Graham scream at a Capitol police officer for not "doing enough" to protect the Senators pic.twitter.com/LKkfIkmfiH
— The Beat with Ari Melber on MSNBC ? (@TheBeatWithAri) January 12, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
SamB
So you’re making fun of him and calling him “dramatic” for trying to find a way to stop the situation?
ZzBomb
A situation he later down played and outright lied about? And furthermore, do you finally admit that 1/6 and the situation you refer to is an insurrection?
DarkZephyr
What’s being ridiculed is that he is so two-faced about this. Which is typical GOP.
Cam
In other words, Lindsay Graham knows Trump was incompetent and that he was unfit to hold the Presidency, but later downplayed the violent domestic terror attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Republicans are anti-American.
mailliw110
Even you don’t believe Lindsey? That’s interesting.
Fname Optional Lname
No, they’re pointing out the hypocrisy. We all know he is a spinless coward. Once he knew he was safe he went right back to kissing orange a$$.
ZzBomb
Par for the course for Lil Miss Ladybugs.
white-queer-african
In a strange way I feel sorry Ms Graham. What a miserable Ifife he must live. Having to constantly kiss the chosen orange one’s ring. Then again, NO, suffer bitch!
Lol x3…
Clamzilla
I don’t think it’s the Tangerine Turd’s ring Miss Lindsey’s been kissing.
BaltoSteve
Interesting the choice of words used. If one were conspiracy minded, one could infer that Ladybugs knew about what was supposed to happen and was freaking out when having to live the reality. Very interesting.
Robothedestroyer
A very good observation, one which I made as well. Curious.
Mister P
He only tried to stop the situation when he felt personally threatened.
Fahd
Graham definitely was part of the planning for the attempted coup, losing his nerve when he became afraid the insurrectionists might hurt him personally;
I recall that during the votes later that day, he announced on the Senate floor, “All I can say is count me out….”, so he was “in” before things got too rough for him.
He was clearly complicit; there needs to more emphasis on the investigative part of investigative reporting in his case.
CNY1983
jesus christ, what an asswiper. he should look at his teletubby body in the mirror and shut his liquid bitch mouth.
BigTX
Ari Melber is so hot! Such a cutie.
Nancy Joyzee
POOR Lady G when gurls go WILD!
Fname Optional Lname
Will someone please get Karen the manager!