Donald Trump denounced by his own party’s top leader
The most senior Republican in Congress has directly blamed Donald Trump for the Capitol riot in a dramatic denunciation on the floor of the Senate.
The most senior Republican in Congress has blamed US President Donald Trump for the violence in Washington D.C. on January 6, saying he “fed lies” to his supporters.
“The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people. And they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government, which they did not like,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the floor of the chamber.
“But we pressed on, we stood together and said an angry mob would not get veto power over the rule of law in our nation.”
That remark directly blaming the President is significant. Mr McConnell is reportedly open to convicting the President in the upcoming impeachment trial, and as the most senior Republican in Congress, his opinion carries weight.
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WATCH: Sen. McConnell on US Capitol insurrection:
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 19, 2021
"The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government which they did not like." pic.twitter.com/PK11JwOQeC
Mr McConnell also he signalled a willingness to co-operate with the incoming Biden administration.
“November’s elections did not hand any side a mandate for sweeping ideological change,” he said.
“Americans elected a closely divided Senate, a closely divided House, and a presidential candidate who said he’d represent everyone.
“So our marching orders from the American people are clear. We are to have robust discussions and seek common ground. We are to pursue bipartisan agreement everywhere we can, and check and balance one another respectfully where we must.
“Through all of this, we must always keep in mind that we are all Americans. We all love this country. And we are all in this together.”
It is, of course, much easier to say these things about bipartisanship than to follow through on them.
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Meanwhile, Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer identified the impeachment trial as one of three priorities for the Senate after Mr Biden takes power tomorrow.
“There will be an impeachment trial in the Senate. If the President is convicted, there will be a vote on barring him from running again,” he said.
“Donald Trump is a threat to our constitutional order, whether he’s in or out of office. Even now, he has not accepted responsibility for what he has done.
“Donald Trump should not be eligible to run for office ever again.”
The other two priorities are the confirmation of Mr Biden’s nominees for Cabinet and other government positions, and the passage of another coronavirus relief package.
Hearings for several of those nominees have been happening today.
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