Nancy Pelosi, former House Speaker, criticized Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader, for endorsing ex-President Trump, calling it a 'sad, professional tragedy' given their past.
Pelosi recognized that she and McConnell found some common ground on certain issues over the years. However, she finds it 'sad' for him to back Trump after the Senate was close to removing him from office for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Pelosi expressed her disappointment during an appearance on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe,' stating, 'It's really very, very sad. And it's a sad conclusion to a career of strategic — again mostly we didn't agree, but I was respectful of the view that he brought forth and how we could work together.'
“It’s really very, very sad. And it’s a sad conclusion to a career of strategic — again mostly we didn’t agree, but I was respectful of the view that he brought forth and how we could work together,” she continued, adding “It’s really … in my view, a sad, professional tragedy that he had to come around.”
Her comments come just days after McConnell, who announced late last month that he would step down from Senate GOP leadership, gave his full endorsement of Trump for president — after the two hadn’t spoken in more than three years due to differences.
Pelosi argued McConnell knew “full well” that Trump was “guilty” for the attack on the Capitol and that the Kentucky Republican even spoke about it on the Senate floor.
“He knew that what was happening was wrong in terms of this beautiful Capitol being assaulted but not just the physical building, what happens here, our Constitution, our ability to honor our oath of office to have a peaceful transfer of power,” Pelosi said. “He even spoke to that eloquently on the floor, but then he wouldn’t allow a bipartisan commission to be formed.”
“Why would he do such a thing? Perhaps he’ll explain it to the world,” she added.
McConnell’s backing of Trump also follows the suspension of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s White House bid. Haley was Trump’s only remaining challenger in the race, and her withdrawal will now pave the way for the former president to secure the GOP nomination.
The former governor has not endorsed Trump, despite pressure from other Republicans to do so. Instead, she claimed he would have to “earn the votes” of her supporters.
