By John Q. Hosedrinker McConnell backed Jack Smith and wanted Trump to “pay” for the events of January 6th. That’s what the headlines read, that’s what people are talking about. But let’s take a step back and really look at McConnell’s actions and the impact they have had on our country.
You know what would have really allowed Trump to pay? Convicting him during the two impeachment trials. That was McConnell’s chance to send a clear message that inciting an insurrection will not be tolerated. But what did he do? He chose to acquit. He had the power to hold Trump accountable, to make sure he “paid” for his role in January 6th, but he failed to act.
McConnell should have rallied his fellow Republican Senators to convict Trump during the second impeachment. By doing so, he could have ensured that Trump would have been barred from running for President again, potentially saving our country from further turmoil. But instead, he chose party over country, as he often does.
Some may argue that McConnell is trying to cleanse his reputation by backing Jack Smith and speaking out against Trump. But it’s too little, too late. McConnell’s actions, or lack thereof, have contributed to the rise of Trump and the division in our country. He had the chance to make a difference, but he chose to pass the buck and crawl into his shell.
If McConnell truly wanted Trump to “pay” for January 6th, he would have voted to convict him. He would have supported the Jan 6 Committee’s investigations. He would have called for a vote to disqualify Trump from holding office again. But McConnell is a coward, putting party politics above the best interests of our nation.
It’s easy to see McConnell as the villain in this story. He had opportunities to make a difference, to hold Trump accountable, and he chose not to. He is one of the main reasons we are in the mess we are in today. And for that, he deserves the criticism and condemnation he is receiving.
In the end, McConnell’s legacy will be one of betrayal and cowardice. He had the chance to stand up for what is right, to uphold the values of our democracy, but he chose to look the other way. And for that, he will be remembered as a spineless enabler of those who seek to undermine our democracy. Let’s not forget the role McConnell played in allowing Trump to escape accountability and the damage that has been done as a result. McConnell backed Jack Smith and wanted Trump to “pay” for January 6th. But looking at McConnell’s actions reveals a different story. The key moment where McConnell could have made a difference was during the two impeachment trials of Donald Trump. He had the opportunity to send a clear message that inciting an insurrection would not be tolerated, but he chose to acquit. This decision to prioritize party politics over holding Trump accountable has had lasting consequences for our country.
By rallying his fellow Republican Senators to convict Trump during the second impeachment, McConnell could have prevented Trump from running for President again. This could have been a significant step in avoiding future turmoil and division in our nation. But McConnell’s failure to act decisively has only contributed to the chaos we see today.
While some may view McConnell’s recent support for Jack Smith as an attempt to cleanse his reputation, it falls short of making up for his past inaction. The legacy McConnell is creating is one of betrayal and cowardice. He had numerous opportunities to stand up for democracy, to call out Trump’s actions, but he chose silence and acquiescence instead.
If McConnell truly wanted Trump to “pay” for January 6th, he would have taken concrete actions like supporting investigations and calling for disqualification from office. But McConnell’s track record shows a pattern of prioritizing party over country, leaving a trail of division and damage in his wake.
When all is said and done, McConnell’s role in allowing Trump to escape accountability will not be forgotten. His actions, or lack thereof, have contributed to the rise of Trump and the undermining of our democratic values. McConnell will be remembered as a spineless enabler, complicit in the erosion of our nation’s principles. Let us not overlook the impact McConnell’s decisions have had on our country and the need to hold accountable those who have failed to protect our democracy.