Calls Kevin McCarthy and Tommy Tuberville to press political advantage during riot
While the riot raged, Trump spoke to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, telling him, "Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are," when McCarthy begged him to call off the mob. He also mistakenly called Senator Mike Lee's phone trying to reach Tommy Tuberville to urge him to object to the certification, stalling for time even as senators were being evacuated.
“Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are” — Reported contemporaneously and in later accounts; see CNN/NPR/NBC reporting. Quote verified against source
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThis call sequence is best understood as using the ongoing violence as leverage to continue obstructing certification (delay/pressure lawmakers), rather than acting to stop the attack.
Contemporaneous Phone Calls While the Capitol was under attack, Trump made phone calls to House Minority Leader McCarthy and attempted to reach Senator Tuberville. According to multiple reports, when McCarthy asked Trump to call off the mob, Trump responded: 'Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.' Documented Intent These calls occurred while lawmakers were being evacuated and Vice President Pence was in danger. Rather than mobilizing law enforcement or the National Guard, Trump continued lobbying legislators on certification objections. The timing and content of these calls were later cited by investigators examining Trump's state of mind during the attack. Witness Testimony Both McCarthy and Tuberville later provided accounts of these conversations. McCarthy's subsequent visit to Mar-a-Lago on January 28, 2021, occurred despite his earlier statement that Trump 'bears responsibility' for the attack.