Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) has criticized former President Donald Trump in a new biography.
What’s the deal: In a biography written by Michael Tackett of The Associated Press, McConnell said, “I think Trump was the biggest factor in changing the Republican Party from what Ronald Reagan viewed and he wouldn’t recognize today.” He added that the “MAGA movement is completely wrong” and “Unfortunately, about half of the Republicans in the country believe whatever he says.”

More takeaways: McConnell said, “Trump is appealing to people who haven’t been as successful as other people and providing an excuse for that, that these more successful people have somehow … cheated and you don’t deserve to think of yourself as less successful because things haven’t been fair.”
McConnell said, “Trump is appealing to people who haven’t been as successful as other people and providing an excuse for that, that these more successful people have somehow been cheated, and you don’t deserve to think of yourself as less successful because things haven’t been fair.”
McConnell on January 6th: Regarding Trump’s role on January 6th, McConnel said, “I’m not at all conflicted about whether what the president did is an impeachable offense. I think it is. Urging an insurrection and people attacking the Capitol as a direct result … is about as close to an impeachable offense as you can imagine, with the possible exception of maybe being an agent for another country. I don’t know whether you can make a conclusive argument that he’s directly responsible for them storming the Capitol, but I think it’s not in dispute that those folks would not have been here in the first place if he had not asked them to come and to disrupt the actual acceptance of the outcome of the election.”
Criticism within the party: Following the news of McConnell’s statements, Senator Mike Lee said, “McConnell’s attacks on Donald Trump & Rick Scott are indefensible. Those running for Senate GOP leadership posts need to weigh in on this & commit never to sabotage Republican candidates & colleagues—particularly those who are less than two weeks away from a close election.” He continued, “We must have clarity from the candidates running to replace McConnell on where they stand on these attacks. They must be clear on how they plan to lead the conference, and on the role of its members. The Senate Republican leader is supposed to help Republicans, not undermine them Sadly, we’ve had too much of the latter That must end now”