Moments after voting to acquit Trump in the second impeachment trial — Minority leader Mitch McConnell was roasted online after admitting that Trump was responsible for the Capitol Hill riots — in a confusing walk back.
Twitter thinks he was trying to save face.
“There is no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” he said. “A mob was assaulting the Capitol in his name,” he said. “These criminals were carrying his banners, hanging his flags and screaming their loyalty to him.”
“This was an intensifying crescendo of conspiracy theories orchestrated by an outgoing president who seemed determined to either overturn the voters’ decision or else torch our institutions on the way out,” McConnell said.
Trump is already planning his return to office. If he had been found guilty, he would not have been allowed to run for president again in 2024.
The Senate voted 57-43 Saturday to acquit the former president on a charge for incitement of insurrection.
I still can't get over the insanity of Mitch McConnell voting to acquit trump, and then making a speech afterwards saying he was guilty AF.
— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) February 14, 2021
Impeachment manager Madeleine Dean: "It was puzzling to hear and see Mitch McConnell stand and say 'not guilty' and then minutes later stand again and say [Trump] was guilty of everything. History will remember that statement of speaking out of two sides of his mouth." pic.twitter.com/Tj3fs3QMVq
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 14, 2021
So let me get this straight: Mitch McConnell gave a speech on how Trump incited the mob after voting to *acquit* him of inciting the mob?
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) February 13, 2021
Honey, Speaker Pelosi just interrupted this press conference for the sole purpose of reminding y’all that Mitch McConnell created this situation and that his speech today was a load of bullshyt. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ChGwXR7Hns
— Renee 🪷 (@PettyLupone) February 13, 2021
[social_warfare]Trying to make sense of Mitch McConnell’s speech… pic.twitter.com/n40q8kkdc3
— Matt Viser (@mviser) February 13, 2021