A maskless Lindsey Graham allegedly screamed at a Capitol police officer during the siege on Congress last Wednesday, saying law enforce...
A maskless Lindsey Graham allegedly screamed at a Capitol police officer during the siege on Congress last Wednesday, saying law enforcement officials did not do enough to protect politicians from President Trump's MAGA mob.
Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown claimed he witnessed Graham's dramatic outburst as 75 senators huddled together in a room with their staffers amid the attack.
Brown told MSNBC's Ari Melber on Monday: 'Lindsey Graham started screaming at one of the officers, I think it was one of the Captains, saying "How come you didn't protect us? It's your job."
'This is the same Lindsey Graham that for the past four years... defended and argued for and encouraged and aided and abetted this President and all of his followers,' Brown stated.
The Ohio senator claimed Graham 'had his mask off' and was 'screaming at the officer from five feet away'.
Graham, one of the Republican Party's most prominent politicians, has not responded to the allegation.
Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown claimed he witnessed Graham's dramatic outburst as 75 senators huddled together in a room with their staffers amid the attack
Graham (center) is seen being evacuated in the US Capitol Building last Wednesday after Trump's MAGA supporters pushed their way inside
Officials were forced to shelter on the floor of the House gallery as protesters broke into the House chamber
It comes as Graham continues to flip-flop on President Trump.
Last week, prior to the attack at the Capitol, the South Carolina senator pledged to contest the Electoral College certification on Wednesday under the assertion that many thousands of votes were fraudulent.
But following Wednesday afternoon's siege, Graham switched sides, voting to certify the election and saying he was done with the President.
'When it comes to accountability the president needs to understand that his actions were the problem not the solution,' Graham said in a press conference on Thursday.
'Trump and I, we've had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are lawfully elected and will become the president and the vice president of the United States on January 20.'
'It breaks my heart that my friend, a president of consequence, would allow yesterday to happen, and it will be a major part of his presidency,' Graham continued.
'It was a self-inflicted wound.'
Graham's perceived disloyalty sparked rage among the president's most ardent supporters, and Graham was subsequently mobbed by MAGA supporters while flying out of Washington DC on Friday
The perceived disloyalty sparked rage among the president's most ardent supporters, and Graham was subsequently mobbed by MAGA supporters while flying out of Washington DC on Friday.
Video from the incident shows Graham being called a 'traitor' by Trump fans as he makes his way down a corridor.
'Lindsey Graham, you are a traitor to the country,' one man could be heard yelling in a clip posted on social media. 'You know it was rigged, you know it was rigged!'
'You garbage human being,' another yelled out. 'It's gonna be like this forever wherever you go for the rest of your life.'
'You better enjoy Gitmo,' aa third protester screamed, referencing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. 'F*cking a**hole. Piece of sh*t.'
Graham and Trump weren't always allies, with Graham once questioning Trump's ability to lead
Graham was initially skeptical of Trump's run for President back in 2016.
The senator called out Trump in a Fox News interview during presidential campaigning in February 2016.
'I think he's a kook. I think he's crazy. I think he's unfit for office,' Graham said at the time. 'I'm a Republican, and he's not. He's not a conservative Republican, he's an opportunist. He's not fit to be president of the United States.'
However, once Trump was sworn into the Oval Office, Graham worked quickly to become a top ally of the president.
According to FiveThirtyEight, Graham has voted on legislation in line with Trump 87.4 percent of the time over the past four years and hasn't directly opposed him since October 2019.
But they have since become staunch allies, with Graham supporting much of Trump's agenda
The two have even golfed together over the years, hitting the links together as recently as Christmas Day.
Graham also backed Trump's claims about election fraud in the aftermath of the latter's defeat to Joe Biden in November.
'Democracy depends upon fair elections. President Trump's team is going to have a chance to make a case regarding voting irregularities,' Graham said at the time. 'I'm going to stand with President Trump.'
Graham's backtrack came on Thursday.
However, it's still somewhat unclear where the senator actually stands.
On Friday, he urged President-elect Joe Biden to order Nancy Pelosi not to impeach Donald Trump for a second time.
'I wanted President Trump to win so badly,' Graham stated on Fox News.
'Now, tonight, I am calling on President-elect Biden to pick up the phone and call Nancy Pelosi and the squad to end the second impeachment.
'President Trump gave a statement last night that was helpful. It hit the mark. He wants to move on to a peaceful transfer of power. He wants this to end.'
Graham said he had spent the day with the increasingly-isolated Trump.
'I've been with him most of the day; he's going to focus on his agenda and his successes for the American people, in the next few days,' said Graham, attempting to hold out an olive branch on behalf of Trump.
'Joe Biden said it's up to Congress regarding impeachment. No, President-elect Biden, it's up to you.
'Pick up the phone and call Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the squad and tell them: stand down; this will destroy the country even further.'
They even became golf buddies, with the two golfing together back in the summer