Graham says he warned Trump of ‘peril’ with Jan. 6 press conference

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) says he told former President Trump it was a “bad idea” to hold a press conference with the national media the same day as the anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, according to Axios.

Graham told Axios he discussed the press conference with Trump while playing golf in West Palm Beach with Trump over the weekend.

Graham said he told Trump “there could be peril in doing a news conference.”

“Best to focus on election reform instead,” he said he told Trump.

Graham’s office told The Hill that the senator had spoken to Trump about the matter.

“Graham offered his advice. The decision to put off was President Trump’s,” a spokesperson for the office said.

Trump abruptly canceled the press conference on Tuesday — less than 48 hours before it was to take place.

In an emailed statement, Trump blamed the cancellation on the House select committee charged with investigating the Jan. 6 riot. He said he would instead touch on many of the themes he had planned to discuss at the news conference during another rally in Arizona slated for Jan. 15.

“In light of the total bias and dishonesty of the January 6th Unselect Committee of Democrats, two failed Republicans, and the Fake News Media, I am canceling the January 6th Press Conference at Mar-a-Lago on Thursday, and instead will discuss many of those important topics at my rally on Saturday, January 15th, in Arizona – It will be a big crowd!” he said.

Axios noted that Fox News host Laura Ingraham indicated she thought the press conference on the anniversary of Jan. 6 was not a “smart idea” during her show on Monday. 

“Some things were horrific that happened and shouldn’t have happened that day. … Is it smart for President Trump to do a rally on that particular day, versus next week or the week before?” she asked Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) on her Monday program.

“President Trump has important things to say on Thursday, on Jan. 6,” Banks said. “And like so many others, I’m looking forward to hearing what President Trump has to say.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced in a letter to colleagues on Dec. 30 that events scheduled for this Thursday include a moment of silence, time for lawmakers to share their testimonials regarding the Jan. 6 riot and a prayer vigil.