Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is facing questions about whether he believes charges against former President Donald Trump related to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol are “legitimate.”
On Wednesday, a reporter noted McConnell previously said Trump is “practically and morally” responsible for the riot.
“With a possible indictment looming, is it legitimate to charge him criminally for the events of that day?” he asked.
McConnell responded, “Look, I’ve said every week out here that I’m not going to comment on the various candidates for the presidency.”
“How I felt about [Jan. 6], I expressed at the time. But I’m not going to get into sort of critiquing the various candidates for president,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to comment on the legitimacy of Donald Trump potentially being charged in relation to the January 6th Capitol insurrection:
— The Recount (@therecount) July 19, 2023
“I’m not gonna comment on the various candidates for the presidency.” pic.twitter.com/ISODvPdJDy
In Feb. 2021, McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor, “There’s no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president.”
“The leader of the free world cannot spend weeks thundering that shadowy forces are stealing our country and then feign surprise when people believe him and do reckless things,” he added.
However, the Kentucky senator said he would vote to acquit Trump of the impeachment charge of “incitement of insurrection.”
McConnell explained, “We have no power to convict and disqualify a former office holder who is now a private citizen.”
On Tuesday, Trump claimed he had received a target letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith in connection with his Jan. 6 investigation.
Smith previously charged the former president for allegedly mishandling classified documents.
Despite the charges, Trump has maintained his position in the polls as the apparent front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
And in 2021, McConnell vowed to support Trump if he is the Republican presidential nominee.