If Trump continues to legitimize political violence Mitch McConnell might have to furrow his brow a second time
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Profiles in ineffectual ass-covering:
Mitch McConnell criticized President Donald Trump’s broad pardon of Jan. 6 convictions on Tuesday, a sign that the former Senate GOP leader won’t be afraid to publicly break with Trump at times.
“Well, I think I agree with the vice president,” McConnell told Semafor, referring to JD Vance’s recent remarks that violent Capitol riot offenders shouldn’t be pardoned. “No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers.”
The Kentucky Republican castigated Trump’s actions during the Capitol riot four years ago but voted to acquit him at his second impeachment trial. McConnell endorsed Trump’s campaign last year but has made clear he will speak out when their views differ on major issues, like national security and tariffs.
It seems worth noting that in January 2021 the “Kentucky Republican” wasn’t just some random backbencher but the Minority Leader in the Senate in a context in which the majority fully supported convicting Trump. We don’t know if he could have rounded up the votes but we do know that he didn’t try, making his “castigations” worth nothing, and indeed an excuse for political violence. McConnell is more responsible for yesterday’s blanket pardon of violent seditionists than anybody but Trump himself.
As for his “speaking out,” the next act in this play will presumably be for McConnell to deliver an emotional speech about having had polio, before he votes to confirm RFK. Jr. to try to ensure that as many children as possible have to go through it too.