Where once we had a happy working relationship between President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has turned into a bitter loathing disconnection that may never be repaired.
The two found themselves at odds with one another toward the end of the president’s first term, as McConnell wasn’t fully supportive of Trump’s claims that the election had been stolen from him.
Now, as Trump prepares to leave the White House, Mitch McConnell seems to have no problem telling him how he really feels.
Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday accused President Trump of provoking the violent crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.
“The last time the Senate convened, we had just reclaimed the Capitol from violent criminals who tried to stop Congress from doing our duty. The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people,” McConnell said on the Senate floor, marking the first convening of the full Senate since the attack.
McConnell’s statements carry significance ahead of an anticipated Senate impeachment trial. The GOP leader has told colleagues he hasn’t yet decided how he would vote on a House-passed article of impeachment against Trump.
McConnell has also announced that he won’t be attending Donald Trump’s military sendoff from Washington, but will instead be part of the inauguration crowd.