Schumer: Congressional leaders brushed off Trump’s ‘illegals’ claim

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) signaled Tuesday that congressional leadership largely brushed aside President Trump’s false claim that undocumented immigrants cost him the popular vote.
“I didn’t think anyone in the room really gave it much credence, including our Republican colleagues,” Schumer said during a Facebook Live interview with USA Today.
Two sources told The Hill that Trump, during a closed-door Monday meeting, told the eight leaders gathered that he only lost the popular vote because of rampant voter fraud by “illegals.”
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pushed back on Trump’s claim during the meeting, Schumer noted on Tuesday.
“He didn’t respond much. He asserts it. Someone says something else, and then he moves on to the next subject,” he added when asked about Trump’s reaction to Pelosi.
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who was in the Monday meeting, also distanced himself from Trump’s comments on Tuesday.
He told reporters that he’s seen “no evidence” of mass voter fraud.
Schumer has blasted the Trump administration this week, arguing it ignores facts it doesn’t like.
He added on Tuesday that he is “hoping and praying” the presidency has a “sobering effect” on Trump.
“In general, you cannot run a country unless you know the facts,” he said. “If you’re going to believe your own facts … you won’t be able to govern, so I worry about it.”
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