<p>There is always a Marine stationed outside the Oval Office when the President is inside the Oval Office, but not when the President is not there.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, is seen leaving the White House. <a href="https://t.co/uuaBzXYHr2">pic.twitter.com/uuaBzXYHr2</a><br/>
— The Hill (@thehill) <a href="https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1350184234649067522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>The notes appear to mention "martial law," a suggestion to move a dangerous Trump loyalist to the CIA as acting Director, the “Insurrection Act," and something about “foreign interference in the election," as <a href="https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/mypillow-ceo-spotted-bringing-notes-to-wh-that-appear-to-reference-martial-law-installing-new-cia-director" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Talking Points Memo</a> reported.</p><p>Understandably, the Internet lit up like a Christmas tree, but with countless rumors, jokes, and concern.</p><p>All those aside, the question really is, would President Trump, who has less than five days left in office, actually fire the head of the CIA, and why? What would he hope to accomplish, do, or get away with if Gina Haspel were gone?</p><p>The other question of course is why would Trump listen to Lindell, a far right conspiracy theorist and religious extremist, but that question is unanswerable.</p><p>Here's what some are saying.</p><p>CNN analyst, attorney, and former FBI Special Agent:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I think the FBI might need to have a chat with My Pillow guy<br/>
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) <a href="https://twitter.com/AshaRangappa_/status/1350200292361580545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>CNN White House correspondent:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On Mike Lindell's notes:<br/>
“…TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO SAVE THE…CONSTITUTION"
Names Sidney Powell and Kurt Olsen
Says Kash Patel should be moved to “CIA Acting…" <a href="https://t.co/F1Y8FItd2U">https://t.co/F1Y8FItd2U</a>
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1350196418103881728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Public advocacy firm:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Why on god's green earth is the My Pillow guy at the White House with a document that references the Insurrection Act? <a href="https://t.co/qrsPYe0akZ">https://t.co/qrsPYe0akZ</a><br/>
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Public_Citizen/status/1350208637440937985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Media Matters Senior Fellow:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It looks like the My Pillow guy was urging the president to use the "Insurrection Act now as a result of the attack" and then "martial law if necessary." <a href="https://t.co/lttekVSJBu">https://t.co/lttekVSJBu</a><br/>
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1350195958265557000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
To sum up: Fox's top advertiser, the linchpin of the network's primetime commercial breaks, was at the White House urging the president to do a self-coup to stay in power.<br/>
— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattGertz/status/1350201545032392705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Religion News Service national reporter:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Note: This is almost *word for word* the conspiracy theory that has been floated in evangelical circles for days.<br/>
The theories (falsely) alleged that this had already happened, but it looks like the My Pillow Guy/Michael Lindell heard them. <a href="https://t.co/GngsjrLAs7">https://t.co/GngsjrLAs7</a>
— Jack Jenkins (@jackmjenkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackmjenkins/status/1350196549222092802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Research director at CREW:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
WaPo photographer got a close-up of the My Pillow guy's notes.<br/>
Hard to read. Seems to push for using "martial law if necessary."
References Sidney Powell and, I think, an attorney at the NSA ("Fort Mead" sic). Advocates for Trump to "move Kash Patel to acting CIA" <a href="https://t.co/xU0tz3YDo7">pic.twitter.com/xU0tz3YDo7</a>
— Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertMaguire_/status/1350192879487111170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Economist and professor:</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Assume the pillow guy will be arrested for conspiracy and sedition soon <a href="https://t.co/6Xt2Zf7KvQ">https://t.co/6Xt2Zf7KvQ</a><br/>
— Danny Blanchflower PhD DLitt (*2) DSc CBE (@D_Blanchflower) <a href="https://twitter.com/D_Blanchflower/status/1350205844206612480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>NBC News Reporter, "dystopia beat":</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Reminder that the MyPillow guy shared an 8kun document that openly called for war at 3:40 a.m. the day before the insurrection. <a href="https://t.co/x4p6sHz5jh">https://t.co/x4p6sHz5jh</a> <a href="https://t.co/el0cF76EES">pic.twitter.com/el0cF76EES</a><br/>— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) <a href="https://twitter.com/oneunderscore__/status/1350174043371167747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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