Mitch McConnell isn't exactly known for his relatability, but his reaction to the RNC referring to the January 6th insurrection as "legitimate political discourse" in their recent censure of Reps. Cheney and Kinzinger was as relatable as he gets.
The RNC censured Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for their participation in the investigation into the January 6th riot, describing them as:
"participating in a Democrat-led persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse."
When asked about the resolution by the press, McConnell wasn't having any of it.
"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. That’s what it was."
You can view McConnell's remarks below:
\u2018It was a violent insurrection with the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election\u2019 \u2014 Sen. Mitch McConnell pushed back on the RNC\u2019s comments over January 6pic.twitter.com/HJQ374Z1Z9— NowThis (@NowThis) 1644349157
Twitter users seemed largely surprised by McConnell saying what they were all thinking.
Might be the only time I have ever agreed with him.— lovemylilly (@lovemylilly) 1644349539
Eeeek!!! The one time I may have agreed with this man!! First Lindsey, now Mitch?! I may need a drink!!!— Nicholas Brannon (@Nicholas Brannon) 1644351608
pic.twitter.com/cHkmBDkXEb— JEFFREY STERN (@JEFFREY STERN) 1644382109
It shows you, even the most awful, disingenuous people who have been primarily responsible for laying waste to so many norms leading to the toxic polarization and power at all costs of our current political moment, can do something right every now and again, and this is right.— Justin Alvarado Brown (@Justin Alvarado Brown) 1644355717
Others were disappointed that it took him this long to say it out loud and questioned whether he will act to back up his words.
This would have been so much better had he said it every day since 1/6/21 !!!— Mary Wooster (@Mary Wooster) 1644353279
Yet he won\u2019t push back on members that agree with the RNC\u2019s position. Whatever came before that part of the statement is meaningless.— Arlene Shumaker (@Arlene Shumaker) 1644355036
It's going to take people from within the Republican Party to chart a new course.— Kimbra Cable (@Kimbra Cable) 1644355929
Another interpretation was that the "legitimate political discourse" referred to the fake slates of Trump electors submitted by Republicans in states where Biden won.
Several members of the committee assert that when the censure mentioned “ordinary citizens” and “legitimate political discourse,” it was referring to people like Kathy Berden, a Republican committee member from Michigan who put herself on a fake slate of electors for Mr. Trump.
That was not RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel's take, however. She told CNN that the RNC was making a distinction between those who perpetuated violence at the Capitol on January 6th and those who did not, who they deemed were "engaged in legitimate political discourse."
"Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger crossed a line. 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."
In response to McConnell's rebuke, she attempted to further clarify the RNC'S position:
"The RNC denounces all acts of political violence and lawlessness. However, the January 6 Committee has greatly exceeded its stated purpose of investigating the events of January 6."
Mitch McConnell's reaction to the whole situation may be the most relatable he's ever been for many Americans.
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