Trump is on the White House lawn complaining about the Mueller investigation, while Pelosi and Schumer are trying to do the work of the people:
"I walked into the room and I told Sen Schumer and Speaker Pelosi that I want to do infrastructure…but I can't do it under these circumstances." Pres Trump of his meeting moments before with Democratic congressional leaders
— Judy Woodruff (@JudyWoodruff) May 22, 2019
There's a sign in the Rose Garden that says "no collusion, no obstruction" on the podium plus some stats about the Mueller probe, per pool report. Trump has called an impromptu presser.
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) May 22, 2019
Out in the Rose Garden pic.twitter.com/TaXVqezQxI
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) May 22, 2019
The lecturn at the “improptu” presser was decked out with statements about the amount of time and money spent on the Mueller investigation, only to find “no collusion” and “no obstruction.” There were fact sheets prepared with the same information handed out to reporters. Does that look like an impromptu response to Pelosi’s remarks? Not likely.
Trump had two years to get infrastructure done w/ a GOP Congress and never submitted an actual plan… so what he just said about infrastructure being done "easily" is not true.
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) May 22, 2019
“They had a meeting about the I word,” President Trump says. “The I word!”
— Matt Viser (@mviser) May 22, 2019
Not a good look.
He said he doesn’t do cover-ups… do we remember his payoff to Stormy Daniels?
Trump walked out into the Rose Garden and saw Nancy Pelosi’s shadow, and now Infrastructure Week will last six more months.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) May 22, 2019
Schumer on Trump saying he won't work with Dems with investigations going on: "Hello, there were investigations going on three weeks ago when we met. And he still met with us. But now that he was forced to say how he would actually pay for [infrastructure], he had to run away."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) May 22, 2019
Trump walked in to meeting with Dems on infrastructure, did not shake anyone’s hand or sit in his seat, and said he wanted to do infrastructure and other things but that would have to wait until investigations are done and walked out, per source familiar
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) May 22, 2019
White House staffers were seen grinning while standing alongside the colonnade as President Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden that he won't work with Democrats while they're investigating him.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 22, 2019
This is a weak response from Pelosi:
"Last night, [Trump] put forth a letter saying unless we passed the [USMCA]…we couldn't go forward with infrastructure," Pelosi said, adding that she didn't see the two issues being related but continued with the scheduled White House meeting for bipartisanship's sake pic.twitter.com/44lMcJP6IM
— POLITICO (@politico) May 22, 2019
Also….
JUST IN: The Justice Department has informed the judge in Roger Stone and Russian propaganda cases that it has agreed to share Mueller's less-redacted report with the all members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. pic.twitter.com/YQQHWUCWmr
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) May 22, 2019
From TPM (emphasis mine):
“Instead of walking in happily into a meeting, I walk in and look at people that have just said that I was doing a cover-up, I don’t do cover-ups,” he said. “You people know probably better than anybody.”
He later said that Democrats need to choose between “investigation” or “investment,” implying that he won’t work with Democrats until investigations into him and his administration are over.
Schumer: “We came prepared…we were interested, it’s clear the president isn’t” in doing infrastructure, accusing Trump of looking for excuses
— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) May 22, 2019
Schumer says Trump walk out was “pre-planned,” noting curtains were closed in the room and President had a place to stand
Trump’s stunt walking away from the infrastructure talks today was premeditated. He thinks he’ll win by holding his breath until he turns blue. And I suppose his people will think it makes him look strong. But I’d guess at least a few swing voters will find this juvenile behavior less than appealing. At best it looks like crude blackmail. At worst, it makes the charge of cover-up all the more obvious.
Update….. WAIT, DID TRUMP JUST ADMIT THAT JUNIOR CALLED HIM AFTER THE TRUMP TOWER MEETING? At the end of this clip…
.@BradMossEsq here's better video pic.twitter.com/rCMnyYAgZa
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) May 22, 2019
“before and after the meeting” pic.twitter.com/qrYoNtwyI2
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) May 22, 2019
His lawyers hate him. https://t.co/W0Ede1Wd1e
— Markos Moulitsas (@markos) May 22, 2019
Not sure what to make of this. Trump appears to say he called his Don Jr just before the Trump Tower meeting. But it’s not clear to me whether it’s just jibberish and aphasia or an unintentional revelation. My best guess is Trump was running together the claims against him with what was actually revealed. That would be rather in character.