Donald Trump acquittal: Mitch McConnell says ex-POTUS still bears responsibility for Capitol riots

Former President Donald Trump’s second Senate impeachment trial resulted in his acquittal due to the number of votes to convict falling 10 short to 43 votes of acquittal. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says that Trump remains responsible for the Capitol insurrection.

Shortly after his vote to acquit, McConnell delivered a scathing rebuke of the former president, noting that while Trump should not face a Senate trial, he still bears responsibility. McConnell, who became Senate Minority Leader and the most powerful Republican in Washington, doubled down on his previous remarks made during the joint session that pinned the blame on Trump for the insurrection. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol as Congress was formally counting the electoral votes in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election win. Biden was ultimately certified by Congress and was sworn in on January 20.

Despite blasting the former president, McConnell voted to acquit, citing that the trials began after Trump left office. However, this was a timeline McConnell planned as he refused to hold an emergency meeting back when he was the Majority Leader. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited this in her blasting of McConnell and the GOP lawmakers that voted to acquit.

“They did this because they had been fed wild falsehoods by the most powerful man on Earth -- because he was angry he lost an election,” said McConnell, referring to the mob. “Former President Trump’s actions preceding the riot were a disgraceful dereliction of duty,” The Senate Minority Leader added that Trump “didn’t get away with anything yet.”

At the same time, Trump abruptly canceled a scheduled televised appearance to talk about his impeachment acquittal by the Senate. According to CNN White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins, Trump’s staff originally expected Trump would make a televised statement following the verdict by the Senate. Collins added the reporters that were standing by in Palm Beach were told that a televised statement from Trump was no longer to be expected.

This has led many users on social media to speculate on Trump’s sudden cancellation. A few users have noted that Trump speaking out now would mean his statements may be used against him in his upcoming legal battles.