McConnell criticizes Trump Jan. 6 pardons

Former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized President Trump for pardoning roughly 1,500 people who were arrested during the Jan, 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, including some who harmed police. At least 600 insurrectionists were formally accused of assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement.

“No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers,” McConnell told Semafor in an article published Tuesday.

He echoed Vice President Vance’s remarks in a "Fox News Sunday" interview earlier this month, during which he said only those who “protested peacefully” should be pardoned, adding “if you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned.”

McConnell’s comments come months after he stepped down from Senate leadership, however fellow GOP members still say his voice will be influential for the party in the new legislative cycle.

“I think his influence is real, and his voice will matter. When he speaks, people will listen,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told The Hill in previous comments.

McConnell’s open critiques of one of Trump’s first decisions while in office signal his willingness to publicly oppose the GOP leader. Very few Republicans have vocalized any discontent with his executive actions but instead chose to shine a light on former President Biden’s decision to pardon family members in the last hour of his term.

Trump said the preemptive pardons Biden issued made the Democrat "look very guilty."

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