Did Pence and military leaders go around Trump to send the National Guard to the Capitol?

“During these conversations the President conveyed to the Acting Secretary that he should take any necessary steps to support civilian law enforcement requests in securing the Capitol and federal buildings,” Miller’s chief of staff said.

Maybe so. Maybe not. It sure seems like Trump’s initial reluctance did at least delay the mobilization, so whatever authority had been given ahead of time, there was an element of going around him.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed that Trump “directed” the mobilization, but no one believes anything she says anyway.

All of this raises a serious “who’s actually in charge here” question that harks back to then-Secretary of State Al Haig’s famous insistence that “As of now, I am in control here, in the White House.” He was not. This time around, no one is quite willing to step up and even make that claim. But there’s sure no sign that Donald Trump is.