Well, first thing is that EMPs are not as big, or powerful as the hype tries to sell.

Taking out all of The US would take a coordinated strike of hundreds of EMPs of the largest size imagined.

Also, they aren't as all pervasive. All kinds of things block EMPs.
Simple surge protectors may save 80% of the equipment.
Just being in the shadow of a cloud could save your equipment.

The electric grid is designed to take lightning strikes. These are high level EMPs that hit the grid all the time.

So, my best guess is they are trying to set up something.
There is going to be a loud boom, then they are going to turn on and off and on and off the power grid, and that will kill a lot of equipment.
Then they will blame it on an EMP.