Following Trump's second impeachment, McConnell explained his vote to acquit the former president in the wake of the Capitol insurrection, in part, by saying the justice system was the proper legal route to hold the president accountable.
"We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being accountable by either one," McConnell said in 2021.
That statement is back in the news now that Trump is fighting for that very immunity. Asked if he stands by his former statement, McConnell stuck to his current playbook on election and Trump-related inquiries and avoided the question altogether.
"I choose not to get involved in it and comment about any of the people running for the Republican nomination," the GOP heavyweight replied to reporters.
"We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being accountable by either one" — Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2021
The Senate minority leader was also pressed on whether he considers anyone convicted or charged in the January 6th riots as "hostages." McConnell referred reporters back to his statements in February of 2021. In those remarks, the lawmaker said January 6th was a disgrace and that "American citizens attacked their own government."
The answer doesn't align with a recent resolution filed in the Kentucky Senate that claims Kentuckians were unconstitutionally held without the right to due process for participating in the events of January 6.
