Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday denounced the Republican National Committee for censuring Republican lawmakers and downplaying the Capitol riot, The New York Times reports.
The RNC on Friday voted to censure Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger for joining the House committee investigating the deadly January 6 attack.
The resolution accused the two lawmakers of "participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”
"Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger crossed a line," said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. "They chose to join Nancy Pelosi in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens who engaged in legitimate political discourse that had nothing to do with violence at the Capitol."
McConnell condemns:
McConnell joined a growing number of Republicans in denouncing the statement and the censures.
“We saw it happen. It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election, from one administration to the next,” McConnell told reporters. “That’s what it was.”
He also slammed the RNC for censuring its members.
“Traditionally, the view of the national party committees is that we support all members of our party, regardless of their positions on some issues,” he said. “The issue is whether or not the R.N.C. should be sort of singling out members of our party who may have different views of the majority. That’s not the job of the R.N.C.”
Trump fires back:
Trump fired back at McConnell on Wednesday in a statement.
“Mitch McConnell does not speak for the Republican Party, and does not represent the views of the vast majority of its voters. He did nothing to fight for his constituents and stop the most fraudulent election in American history,” he said.
“If Mitch would have fought for the election, like the Democrats would have if in the same position, we would not be discussing any of the above today, and our Country would be STRONG and PROUD instead of weak and embarrassed,” he added.
