Mcconnell: Dems trying to ‘exploit’ anniversary

One-year after a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol led by supporters of former President Donald Trump trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, Senate Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell accused his colleagues across the aisle for trying to “exploit this anniversary.”

Mcconnell, a Kentucky Republican, said in a statement released Thursday that Jan. 6, 2021, was “a dark day for Congress and our country” and thanked the U.S. Capitol Police “who served our institution bravely that day and every day since.”

But he did not spare the barbs against Senate Democrats, whom he accused of using the insurrection anniversary to push filibuster reform.

“It has been stunning to see some Democrats try to exploit this anniversary to advance partisan policy goals that long predated this event,” Mcconnell said.

He added: “It is especially jawdropping to hear some Senate Democrats invoke the mob’s attempt to disrupt our country’s norms, rules and institutions as a justification to discard our norms, rules and institutions themselves.”

Seventeen Kentucky residents have been charged with participating in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Three have received sentences that ranged from probation to short jail stints, with federal judges also ordering community service and fines.

Mcconnell finished his statement by commending the Senate for standing together during the insurrection and by denouncing Senate Democrats one more time.

“A year ago today, the Senate did not bend or break,” he said. “We stuck together, stood strong, gaveled back in, and did our job.

“Senators should not be trying to exploit this anniversary to damage the Senate in a different way from within.”