As jubilant as Republican lawmakers are over Donald Trump’s second term, they’re facing a familiar reality: The president is back to picking fights with them and trying to bend them to his will.
From pardoning Jan. 6 offenders to threatening blunt tariffs on allied nations to trying to rename an Alaska mountain against the wishes of its two Republican senators, Trump is showing no qualms about provoking members of his party. In many cases, he’s simply following through on his campaign promises — but that doesn’t mean it’s going down smoothly in Congress.
Perhaps the most conspicuous example of the trend on Trump’s second day in office was his broad pardons of people convicted of offenses related to the Capitol riot. Some of his GOP allies cheered; several of the party’s senators were openly dismayed to see pardons for even those convicted of violent crimes.
“Well, I think I agree with the vice president,” Sen. Mitch McConnell told Semafor, referring to JD Vance’s recent remarks that violent Capitol riot offenders shouldn’t be pardoned. “No one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers.”
McConnell endorsed Trump’s campaign last year but has made clear he will speak out when their views differ on major issues, like national security and tariffs. It looks like he’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so, though what’s true for all Republicans is true for him as well: Rhetorical breaks with Trump are always easier than pushing back on his nominees and legislation.
Far more Republicans offered muted criticisms or said little at all, for example, about his Jan. 6 pardons and tariff threats.
“There’s not a full consensus among Republicans about much of anything. So I’m not surprised by that,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, of the GOP split over some of Trump’s actions. He noted that alongside the controversy came plenty of other moves Republicans agreed with.
Cornyn said Congress had nothing to do with the pardons, and many of his colleagues said it’s the president’s prerogative to order the release of most defendants involved in the riot — including those accused of assaulting police officers. But others made clear they were not pleased and said they wouldn’t try to defend them.
“Most of us were expecting a more selective process. So in terms of justifying it, I will let him do that,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump’s decision to grant broad pardons to individuals charged in connection with the January 6th Capitol riot. McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, called the pardons “reckless and irresponsible” and warned that they could undermine the ongoing legal process and accountability for those involved in the violent attack on the Capitol.
In a statement released on Monday, McConnell stated, “It is extremely disappointing to see former President Trump abuse his pardon power in such a way. These pardons not only disregard the rule of law, but they also send the wrong message to those who seek to undermine our democracy through violence and insurrection.”
McConnell’s criticism comes as Trump continues to wield his influence within the Republican Party and push false claims about the 2020 election. The former president’s decision to grant pardons to Capitol riot defendants has sparked outrage and concern among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, with many calling for accountability and justice for those responsible for the attack.
As the legal process unfolds and more details emerge about the events of January 6th, McConnell’s strong condemnation of Trump’s pardons highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the ongoing struggle to hold those responsible for the Capitol riot accountable.
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