Thread by @benrileysmith

Strange 30 mins in Washington. Trump announces unexpected White House press conf, rails against Dems for investigating him, slams Mueller probe along familiar lines, takes 2 questions then goes.

Trump says there cannot be "two tracks" in Congress - investigating him + working with him on legislation. Says there will be no progress on latter unless Dems drop their investigations.

Trigger appears to have been Nancy Pelosi, top Dem in House, saying this morning that Trump was "engaged in a cover-up". She was due to meet with Trump in W House this morning.

CNN reports that Trump stormed into meeting without shaking hands or saying hello to attendees, criticised Dem investigations, walked out after 5 mins without waiting for a response.

Did presser straight after.

Dems now giving their take on this remarkable collapse of bipartisan talks.

Chuck Schumer, top Dem in Senate: “To watched what happened in the White House would make your jaw drop” ...

Schumer says Trump's storming out of meeting was "planned". When they arrived at White House curtains were closed and there was a place where president could stand to deliver his rebuke.

Pelosi stresses that Dems were ready to negotiate seriously on infrastructure. She came with Schumer + Dem chairs of relevant committees.

[Schumer had a 35-page doc detailing where spending should go.]

But, says Pelosi, Trump "took a pass".

Pelosi on Trump infrastructure meeting walkout: “For some reason, maybe it was lack of confidence on his part, he really couldn’t match the greatness of the challenge that we had.”