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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell reiterated he would back President Trump if he becomes the Republican nominee in 2024, saying he has an “obligation” to support whoever the nominee is.
During an interview with Axios, McConnell was asked for clarification on why he vowed to support Trump’s presidential bid last February after he publicly blamed the events of Jan. 6 on Trump two weeks prior.
“You spoke very powerfully against the most powerful figure in the party, the president. And you said Donald Trump’s actions preceding the Jan. 6 insurrection were a — quote — disgraceful dereliction of duty and that he was practically morally responsible, your words, for provoking the events of that day,” Axios’ Jonathan Swan said.
“How do you go from saying that to two weeks later saying you’d absolutely support Donald Trump if he’s the Republican nominee in 2024?” Swan asked.
The Kentucky senator said that as the Senate Republicans’ leader, he has an “obligation to support” his party’s nominee as the Senate Republicans’ leader.
Although McConnell worked alongside Trump in the White House, the two had a rocky relationship over the years.
McConnell has doubled down on his belief that Biden fairly won the presidency despite the existence of vast voter discrepancies throughout the country. He has also made other questionable decisions that have led President Trump to label him as a RINO.
Trump recently criticized the senator as “absolutely terrible,” calling for his removal as the Senate Minority Leader.
“As far as Mitch McConnell, I am not a fan and there’s been no harsher critic than me,” Trump said. “He has been absolutely terrible and very bad for the GOP. The Sonner he leaves ‘Leadership,” the better off the Republican Party will be.”