McConnell says Trump was ‘practically and morally responsible’ for riot after voting not guilty
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell excoriated former President Trump Saturday in a speech on the Senate floor shortly after McConnell voted to acquit in the former president’s second impeachment trial. In a speech with a first half reminiscent of the arguments made by House impeachment managers, McConnell said the former president was “practically and morally responsible” for the attack on the Capitol on January 6.
But McConnell argued that he believed it was unconstitutional to convict a president who was no longer in office.
“This was an intensifying crescendo of conspiracy theories orchestrated by an outgoing president who seemed determined to either overturn the voters’ decision or else torch our institutions on the way out,” McConnell said.
McConnell was unequivocal about Mr. Trump’s responsibility. “There is no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” he said, and added that Mr. Trump watched the events unfold on television. “A mob was assaulting the Capitol in his name,” he said. “These criminals were carrying his banners, hanging his flags and screaming their loyalty to him.” [Continue reading…]