Donald Trump urged Republican Senators on Tuesday to dump Mitch McConnell as their leader in the Senate following his criticism of the former U.S. President after his impeachment trial.
Mr. Trump also claimed credit for some Republican gains in the November 3 election and threatened to use his influence against party candidates who don’t align with him.
“The Republican Party can never again be respected or strong with political ‘leaders’ like Senator Mitch McConnell at its helm,” Mr. Trump said in a statement.
“Mitch is a dour, sullen, and unsmiling political hack, and if Republican Senators are going to stay with him, they will not win again.”
Trump regrets support
The attack came after Mr. McConnell said on Saturday that even though he had voted to acquit Mr. Trump at his impeachment trial, the former President was nevertheless “practically and morally responsible” for the January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol.
Mr. McConnell excoriated Mr. Trump for the attack that saw five people die and the halls of the U.S. legislature ransacked by his supporters.
He called Mr. Trump’s actions leading up to the siege, including a White House rally where the then-President urged followers to descend on Congress, “a disgraceful dereliction of duty.”
“These criminals were carrying his banners. Hanging his flags. And screaming their loyalty to him,” Mr. McConnell said.
But Mr. Trump blamed the wily veteran lawmaker, who for four years as majority leader kept the Senate aligned with the Republican President, for losing party control of the body.
He claimed credit for Mr. McConnell’s own win of another six-year term representing Kentucky in the Senate. “My only regret is that McConnell ‘begged’ for my strong support and endorsement before the great people of Kentucky in the 2020 election, and I gave it to him,” Mr. Trump said.
