McConnell condemns Trump as "practically and morally responsible" after acquitting him
Minutes after voting to acquit based on the argument that the Senate lacked jurisdiction over a former president, Mitch McConnell delivered a speech flaying Trump. He stated there was "no question" Trump was responsible for the riot and that he fed the mob "false statements, conspiracy theories, and reckless hyperbole."
“no question”
Analysis Feed
AI commentaryThe Rhetorical Cake-Eating Minutes after voting to acquit, McConnell took the Senate floor to declare Trump 'practically and morally responsible' for the attack. He wanted both: to avoid angering Trump's base while preserving his reputation with history. This speech crystalized the Republican Party's bad faith approach to January 6. The Self-Fulfilling Delay McConnell's justification for acquittal--that the Constitution doesn't allow conviction of a former president--was enabled by his own refusal to convene the Senate while Trump was still in office. He created the constitutional off-ramp, then claimed the off-ramp forced his hand. The Long-Term Damage This speech gave future historians a Republican leader's own words condemning Trump's conduct. But McConnell would later endorse Trump for president in 2024, making his floor speech look either cynical or cowardly. The speech condemned Trump; the vote and endorsement enabled him.