Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is no supporter of former President Donald Trump, criticized the guilty verdict in the business records trial handed down on Thursday.
“These charges should never have been filed in the first place and I hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal,” he posted on X.
These charges should never have been filed in the first place, and we hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 31, 2024
Critics panned the short, passionless post.
Federalist editor-in-chief Molly Hemingway responded: “Don’t strain your back. Stay calm!”
Don’t strain your back, stay calm! https://t.co/ladpKJ6pTW
— Molly (@MZHemingway) May 31, 2024
Still, McConnell’s post dashed the hopes of Never-Trump supporters who had hoped that Republicans would turn against Trump if he became a “convicted felon.”
Trump hater George Conway slammed McConnell, posting to X: “I still don’t understand why so many people are so willing to degrade themselves like this when they should be more sensible.”
I still don’t understand why so many people continue to belittle themselves in this way when they should know better. https://t.co/JdgSxmNTf6
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) May 31, 2024
Never-Trump supporter Damon Rinker lamented that “leading Republican elected officials” would “choose Trump over the rule of law.”
I’ve been saying for almost two years that by putting Trump on trial, we risk Republicans choosing Trump over the rule of law. Now we’re seeing that play out before our eyes. We’re seeing it play out now in statements by key Republican elected officials.
— Damon Linker (@DamonLinker) May 30, 2024
Some took McConnell’s post as a serious message from the Republican leader.
Columnist T. Beckett Adams wrote about X:
The last time Democrats broke major norms for short-term political gain, McConnell responded with reforms to the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. If you’re happy with today’s rulings, enjoy them. You’re not going to enjoy what comes next. No one is.
The last time Democrats broke major norms for short-term political gain, McConnell responded with reforms to the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. If you’re happy with today’s rulings, enjoy them. You’re not going to enjoy what comes next. No one is. https://t.co/pi5nwe3RA3
— T. Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) May 31, 2024
But McConnell only has a few months to act: He steps down as Senate Republican leader next year.
