Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell criticized former President Donald Trump’s recent tariff policies and pardons for January 6 rioters, calling both decisions mistakes during a candid interview on 60 Minutes aired Sunday.
Tariffs on Key Trading Partners
He slammed Trump on this aspect by stating that it would endanger American consumers in terms of its economic impact. McConnell said the policy would finally harm U.S. citizens, not help them.
“It will drive the cost of everything up. In other words, it will be paid for by American consumers,” McConnell declared. “Why would you want to get in a fight with your allies over this?
Immediately after Trump’s declaration, the heads of the affected countries pledged to introduce retaliatory tariffs, further straining relations between the U.S. and its main trading partners. Economists caution that this will only raise prices and potentially cause job losses in industries reliant on international trade.
Panic Over Jan. 6 Pardons
The ex-Senate leader also criticized Trump for pardoning over 1,000 people who were convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“I think pardoning the people who’ve been convicted is a mistake,” McConnell said, dismissing Trump’s description of the day as a “day of love.” “It was an insurrection.”.
McConnell, who was still Senate Majority Leader at the time of the riot, spoke of the fear that his staff had as they barricaded themselves inside the Capitol to avoid violent rioters.
“My staff in the Capitol was putting furniture up against the doors to prevent the rioters from breaking in,” he said, his voice cracking. “And what was it about? To prevent the orderly government transfer, which had never happened in our country.”
McConnell’s Growing Distance from Trump
McConnell’s statement epitomized the ongoing rift between the establishment of the Republican Party and the wing of Trump.
While other Republicans remain allied with Trump, his statement clarifies his opposition to the former president’s governance strategy and economic policy.
McConnell’s critique could further polarize the Republican Party with the 2024 election nearing as candidates and lawmakers position themselves regarding Trump.
