McConnell Comments On Trump Pardons
Republicans may be celebrating Donald Trump’s triumphant return to the White House, but the honeymoon phase already feels like it’s over. Just days into his second term, Trump is back to doing what he does best: keeping his party on its toes.
From sweeping Jan. 6 pardons to looming tariffs on close allies, and even an eyebrow-raising attempt to rename an Alaskan mountain, the president is proving once again that he’s not afraid to challenge his own team. And while many Republicans are biting their tongues, it’s clear that some are less than thrilled about what’s unfolding.
Let’s start with the fireworks—Trump’s controversial pardons for Jan. 6 offenders. On day two of his new term, the president dropped broad clemency for those convicted in connection with the Capitol riot, including some guilty of assaulting police officers. The reactions? A mix of cheers, awkward silence, and outright criticism.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who supported Trump’s campaign but isn’t shy about voicing dissent, made his feelings clear: “No one should excuse violence. Particularly violence against police officers.” Others, like Sen. Mike Rounds, admitted they’d expected a “more selective process” and distanced themselves from defending the move.
But here’s the thing—most Republicans aren’t rushing to clash with Trump outright. Instead, the majority are sidestepping direct confrontation, offering muted critiques or pivoting to a familiar punching bag: former President Joe Biden. Even Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley brushed off questions about the Jan. 6 pardons by shifting focus to Biden’s controversial family pardons before leaving office. Classic misdirection.
If the pardons weren’t enough drama, Trump is also revving up tensions over tariffs. He’s eyeing a hefty 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports—something that’s raising red flags for Republican lawmakers from agriculture and manufacturing-heavy states.
Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas didn’t mince words, warning that retaliatory tariffs could devastate U.S. farmers. Yet despite the grumbling, the party remains largely deferential, holding out hope that Trump’s threats are more bluster than a blueprint.
And then there’s TikTok. Last year, Republicans were united in voting to force the app’s divestiture from Chinese parent company ByteDance. Now, Trump’s floated a new plan: a joint venture that keeps 50% of TikTok’s ownership in American hands. Confusion is spreading faster than a viral dance challenge. Senator Susan Collins pointed out the obvious: “That’s not what the law says.” Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers are holding their breath, waiting to see how this plays out.
Oh, and let’s not forget Trump’s effort to rename Alaska’s iconic Denali mountain back to Mount McKinley, much to the dismay of the state’s Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. But even that’s not enough to sour Sullivan’s enthusiasm over Trump’s plans to ramp up energy production in Alaska—a reminder that policy wins can soothe bruised egos.