I tried to tell people
Posted on 02/15/2021 7:30:43 PM PST by RandFan
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Monday defended the Senate's decision to acquit former President Trump but clarified that it, "vindicated the Constitution, not Trump."
In his op-ed, McConnell echoed sentiments he shared after the Senate acquittal on Saturday, when he said Trump is "morally responsible" for the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6 and that he was "outraged" by Trump's actions.
"There is no question former President Trump bears moral responsibility. His supporters stormed the Capitol because of the unhinged falsehoods he shouted into the world’s largest megaphone," McConnell wrote. "His behavior during and after the chaos was also unconscionable, from attacking Vice President Mike Pence during the riot to praising the criminals after it ended."
But McConnell went on in the piece to argue that convicting Trump was not protected by the Constitution because he is a former official. McConnell added, however, that he respects the decision of the six Republicans who voted to convict and their interpretation of the Constitution.
"I respect senators who reached the opposite answer. What deserve no respect are claims that constitutional concerns are trivialities that courageous senators would have ignored," he wrote.
The minority leader also responded to critics who say he could have scheduled the impeachment trial before the inauguration while Trump was still president, saying it would have been too rushed.
"The Senate’s duty last week was clear. It wasn’t to guarantee a specific punishment at any cost. Our job was to defend the Constitution and respect its limits," he concluded. "That is what our acquittal delivered."
The op-ed comes as McConnell faces criticism from liberals over his decision to acquit Trump despite also condemning his actions surrounding the Capitol riot.
McConnell suggested on Saturday that Trump could face criminal prosecution for his actions outside the Senate.
"President Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office, as an ordinary citizen, unless the statute of limitations has run. ... didn't get away with anything yet," McConnell said after the vote.
We need to retire McConnell. He’s become a terrible embarrassment with his big lying mouth.
McConnell why didn’t you have more Capital Police there 01/06/21?
Why weren’t the National Guard activated? Trump offered you and your Bitch Pelosie 10,000!
The littleman is obeying orders from Gina Haspell. Lying is natural to cocaine mitch, just ask his chicom wife.
Explain the massive vote dumps.
Sen. Turtle:
It’s over. SHUT UP.
(You too, Pelosi. SHUT UP.)
Asshole.
Covering for traitorous SOBs... just another traitorous SOB.
Shaddup and fetch Granny Botox another glass of whine, minority "leader" Mitch.
The truth is, McConnell is attacking Trump supporters/the party base. He’s extremely upset he can’t go back to playing the gracious loser. He’s throwing down the gauntlet that there’s no room in the republican party for people who actually expect their representatives to accomplish what they were sent to Washington to do. Those people know better than us, and ignoring our wishes for comity is preferable.
I have no doubt the McConnell, Romney, rino wing of the republican party is more than willing to remain in the minority, until the base concedes to their view.
Mitch, it must be pretty uncomfortable straddling the fence like that. May as well come down on one side or another, not that it’s going to change much at this point.
It’s his last term. He’s not running again in 2026.
McConnell should have been booted in 2014 along with Flimsey Grahamnesty.
Ditch continues with his attack on 75 million Americans.
McConnell thinks he can turn back the clock and return to the pre-Trump world. That’s what these attacks on Trump are all about. But the pre-Trump world is gone forever - the GOP is Trump’s now. McConnell and his Chamber of Commerce puppet masters are relics of the past.
McConnell is a disgrace. I can only believe he is afraid of having his & his wife’s actions exposed. He should be censured and be removed as minority leader of the Senate..
Lyin’ Linda, at it again. I’d just as soon trust a snake.
This “insurrection” was probably planned by congressional leadership on all sides
Reminds me more & more of Tokyo Rose...
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