Former President Donald Trump blasted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-KY) in a statement on Tuesday, promising primary opponents who support Trump’s agenda.
Trump released a lengthy, seven paragraph statement through his PAC just days after being acquitted in a second second impeachment trial, calling McConnell a “dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack,” deepening the already divided Republican party.
“The Republican Party can never again be respected or strong with political ‘leaders’ like Sen. Mitch McConnell at its helm,” the statement read. “Mitch is a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack, and if Republican Senators are going to stay with him, they will not win again.”
Seven Republican senators voted to convict Trump on lone article of impeachment charge of of inciting the January 6 insurrection, making it the most bipartisan impeachment trial vote in U.S. history.
The blistering statement is Trump’s latest attempt to remain in power and in control of the GOP. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) spoke to Fox News on Sunday, saying the Republican party needs Trump moving forward.
“We can’t do that without Donald Trump so he’s ready to hit the trail and I’m ready to work with him,” he said.
McConnell did not vote to convict Trump in the trial but he did denounce Trump’s conduct leading up to the January 6 riot shortly after the conclusion of the trial.
“There’s no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said. “President Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office.”
The statement by McConnell is his latest effort to distance himself from Trump and move the party forward without the former President’s support.
“My goal is, in every way possible, to have nominees representing the Republican Party who can win in November,” McConnell told Politico on Sunday.
