The typically conservative Republican Senate leader has rarely split from Trump in his four years as president. But he led the Senate certification for the presidential election that protesters promised to overthrow, and strongly condemned the violence on Capitol Hill where he served as a senator for 36 years.
“The crowd was fed with lies,” said McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, on the Senate floor. “They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.”
“We will have a safe and successful opening right here, in front of the Capitol,” said McConnell.
McConnell’s comments came as the Senate is preparing to hold an impeachment trial on the House’s charge of “inciting insurrection”. McConnell said on Tuesday that the Senate received a message from the House stating that Trump has been impeached, but noted that the House has not yet transmitted the article to the Senate.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer defended Trump’s condemnation and his disqualification from taking office again.
“We need to set a precedent that the most severe offense ever committed by a president will be faced with the most severe remedy provided by the constitution – impeachment and condemnation by this chamber, as well as dismissal from a future office,” said Schumer.
McConnell reported on Tuesday that Congress did its duty despite the January 6 riot, certifying the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris.
“We will have a safe and successful opening right here, in front of the Capitol,” said McConnell.
McConnell said that Congress will soon start working for the American people and said that no party has a broad mandate after the 2020 elections, which handed over the White House and the Republican-led Senate to Democrats.
“Certainly the November elections did not give either side a mandate for comprehensive ideological change,” said McConnell. “The Americans elected a divided Senate, a very divided House and a presidential candidate who said he would represent everyone.”
“So our march orders for the American people are clear,” said McConnell. “We must have a robust discussion and seek common ground. We must seek a bipartisan agreement wherever we can, and verify and balance each other, respectfully, where necessary.”
This story was updated with further developments on Tuesday.