Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell voted to acquit Donald Trump on Saturday. But just moments after his decision to let the former president walk away without consequence, McConnell claimed that Trump was in fact “responsible” for the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
“There’s no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said in a speech following the vote that led to Trump’s acquittal.
“These criminals were carrying his banners. Hanging his flags. And screaming their loyalty to him.”
He called Trump’s actions leading up to the siege “a disgraceful dereliction of duty.”
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McConnell went on to suggest that Trump could now face criminal charges now that he is out of office.
“President Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office, as an ordinary citizen,” he said. “He didn’t get away with anything yet.”
The Republican from Kentucky, however, said he voted to acquit Trump on a charge of inciting insurrection because, he said, it is unconstitutional to convict a president in an impeachment trial after he has left office.
