Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellRon Johnson grinds Senate to halt, irritating many Klain on Harris breaking tie: 'Every time she votes, we win' How to pass legislation in the Senate without eliminating the filibuster MORE (R-Ky.) is defending President Trump
Donald TrumpTrump State Department appointee arrested in connection with Capitol riot Intelligence community investigating links between lawmakers, Capitol rioters Michelle Obama slams 'partisan actions' to 'curtail access to ballot box' MORE amid bipartisan backlash over the president's suggestion that he would accept information about a political opponent from a foreign government, breaking with some of his own Republican Conference members.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellRon Johnson grinds Senate to halt, irritating many Klain on Harris breaking tie: 'Every time she votes, we win' How to pass legislation in the Senate without eliminating the filibuster MORE (R-Ky.) is defending President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump State Department appointee arrested in connection with Capitol riot Intelligence community investigating links between lawmakers, Capitol rioters Michelle Obama slams 'partisan actions' to 'curtail access to ballot box' MORE amid bipartisan backlash over the president's suggestion that he would accept information about a political opponent from a foreign government, breaking with some of his own Republican Conference members. Asked about Trump's comments during a Fox News interview, which aired on Thursday night, McConnell aimed his criticism at Democrats, saying "they just can't let it go."
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"I said weeks ago 'case closed'. We got the Mueller report, the only objective evaluation that will be conducted. … The case is closed; why don't we move on and solve the border crisis and approve the president's USMCA, the new trade deal with Mexico and Canada? We have work to do," McConnell said.
Pressed by host Laura Ingraham
Laura Anne IngrahamHaley isolated after Trump fallout Tucker Carlson to produce video podcasts for Fox Nation Rush Limbaugh dead at 70 MORE on if he thought Trump gave the wrong answer when he told ABC News that he was open to looking at information on an opponent from a foreign government, McConnell sidestepped.
Laura Anne IngrahamHaley isolated after Trump fallout Tucker Carlson to produce video podcasts for Fox Nation Rush Limbaugh dead at 70 MORE on if he thought Trump gave the wrong answer when he told ABC News that he was open to looking at information on an opponent from a foreign government, McConnell sidestepped. "He gets picked at every day over every aspect of it. But the fundamental point is they're trying to keep the 2016 election alive and the investigation alive, when the American people have heard enough," he said, returning his focus to congressional Democrats.
McConnell, who is running for reelection in a red state next year, added that he "would ask the Democrats in the House this: Is there anything you're willing to do other than harass the president for the next two years?"
McConnell's defense of Trump comes after the president sparked widespread backlash, including from members of his own party, when he told ABC News that he was open to accepting information from a foreign government.
Trump's comments sparked unease among several Senate Republicans, ranging from Trump allies to the party's 2020 candidates.
Sen. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamRon Johnson grinds Senate to halt, irritating many Here's who Biden is now considering for budget chief House Democratic leaders back Shalanda Young for OMB after Tanden withdrawal MORE (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called Trump's answer "wrong" and a "mistake."
Lindsey Olin GrahamRon Johnson grinds Senate to halt, irritating many Here's who Biden is now considering for budget chief House Democratic leaders back Shalanda Young for OMB after Tanden withdrawal MORE (R-S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called Trump's answer "wrong" and a "mistake." Sen. Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRon Johnson grinds Senate to halt, irritating many Romney's TRUST Act is a Trojan Horse to cut seniors' benefits Republicans, please save your party MORE (R-Utah), the party's 2012 nominee who has had high-profile clashes with Trump, called accepting information from a foreign government that was trying to meddle in an election "unthinkable."
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyRon Johnson grinds Senate to halt, irritating many Romney's TRUST Act is a Trojan Horse to cut seniors' benefits Republicans, please save your party MORE (R-Utah), the party's 2012 nominee who has had high-profile clashes with Trump, called accepting information from a foreign government that was trying to meddle in an election "unthinkable." Asked what the president should do if a foreign government offers opposition research on an opponent, Sen. Cory Gardner
Cory GardnerBiden administration reverses Trump changes it says 'undermined' conservation program Gardner to lead new GOP super PAC ahead of midterms OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Court rules against fast-track of Trump EPA's 'secret science' rule | Bureau of Land Management exodus: Agency lost 87 percent of staff in Trump HQ relocation | GM commits to electric light duty fleet by 2035 MORE (Colo.), one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for reelection next year, shot back: "Just say no."
But McConnell's defense of Trump is in line with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthyWatch live: McCarthy holds press briefing Biden vows to work with Congress to 'refine' voting rights bill House passes voting rights and elections reform bill MORE (R-Calif.), who defended the president during a press conference on Thursday.
