Protester throws Russian flags at Trump as he enters GOP lunch
A protester threw Russian flags at President Trump on Tuesday as he entered the GOP policy lunch.
The protester, who was later arrested by Capitol Police, could be heard shouting “Trump is treason” as the president walked by.
{mosads}”Why are you talking about tax cuts when you should be talking about treason?” the man could be heard shouting in videos.
Trump can be seen in the videos walking next to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) as the protester shouted.
The man identified himself as Ryan Clayton of “Americans Take Action.”
Clayton, a Virginia resident, was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct, Capitol Police said in a statement.
Protester tosses Russian flags at Pres. Trump at Capitol, yelling “Trump is treason!” pic.twitter.com/PGtfAaO00O
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) October 24, 2017
Earlier this year, the same man asked White House aide and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to sign a Russian flag for him as Kushner was leaving a closed appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee, according to ABC News.
Clayton was reportedly also the activist who got attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) to wave Russian flags when Trump gave a speech.
The move appeared to be a prank and CPAC workers began to collect the flags after people started waving them.
This was Ryan Clayton, same activist who tricked CPAC attendees into waving Russian flags during Trump’s speech https://t.co/HayMsmVCVs
— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) October 24, 2017
There are currently multiple investigations into the Russian election meddling. Trump has in the past dismissed the Russia probe as a “witch hunt” and has called it an excuse by Democrats for losing the election.
Trump is huddling with Senate Republicans Tuesday on Capitol Hill in hopes of finding party unity.
Republicans are in broad agreement about the need to pass tax reform, but are struggling to get on the same page as they begin a debate over legislation.
— This report was updated at 3:04 p.m.
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