Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated that he'd support Donald Trump in 2024 if he becomes the Republican Party's nominee, contending that this is not "inconsistent" with his rebuke of the former president over his actions related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
After Trump's supporters attacked the federal legislative branch of government just over 15 months ago, McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said that the former president was "practically and morally responsible"—floating the possibility that Trump could face accountability through the criminal justice system.
Tensions have been high between Trump and McConnell since, with the former president dubbing the top Senate Republican an "old crow" and describing him as "a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack." Nonetheless, McConnell told Fox News in late February 2021 that he'd "absolutely" back Trump if he again becomes the GOP's presidential nominee. He reiterated that perspective during a Thursday interview with Axios journalist Jonathan Swan.
"As the Republican leader of the Senate it should not be a front page headline that I will support the Republican nominee for president," McConnell told Swan.
After Swan pushed back, referencing his previous condemnation of Trump, McConnell argued there was nothing inconsistent about his stance.
"I think I have an obligation to support the nominee of my party, and I will," the Kentucky senator said. "That will mean that whoever the nominee is will have gone out and earned the nomination." McConnell argued this was "not at all inconsistent."
"I stand by everything I said on January 6 and everything I said on February the 13th," he said.
On February 13, 2021, McConnell issued a stinging rebuke of Trump from the Senate floor after he voted with the majority of GOP senators to acquit the former president over his actions related to the attack against the U.S. Capitol. The top Senate Republican contended the impeachment trial was unconstitutional because Trump was no longer president, but argued the former president bore responsibility for the violence.
"Let me put that to the side for one moment and reiterate something I said weeks ago: There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day," he said in those remarks. "The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president."
Then in a February 25, 2021, interview with Fox News, McConnell was asked if he would still back Trump if he ran for president in the future. "The nominee of the party? Absolutely," the Kentucky lawmaker responded.
Trump has not confirmed whether he plans to run again in 2024 but most analysts see him as a likely contender. Polls have consistently shown the former president as the clear frontrunner among other potential Republican candidates. He has consistently hinted that he plans to run as well.
In an interview published by The Washington Post on Thursday, Trump again teased the possibility of a 2024 presidential campaign. However, he said that his health would be a consideration. Trump would be 78 at the time of the next presidential election.
"You always have to talk about health. You look like you're in good health, but tomorrow, you get a letter from a doctor saying come see me again. That's not good when they use the word again," he told the newspaper.
"I don't want to comment on running, but I think a lot of people are going to be very happy by my decision," Trump said.
Newsweek reached out to Trump's press office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jason Lemon is a Weekend Editor at Newsweek based in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to taking on the editor role, Jason's reporting focused on ... Read more
