McConnell reacts to Jan. 6 referrals: 'Entire nation knows who is responsible for that day'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday issued a blunt response to the Jan. 6 committee's decision to refer former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice for criminal charges

"The entire nation knows who is responsible for that day. Beyond that, I don't have any immediate observations," McConnell said, per The Hill. The Kentucky Republican's remarks presumably referred to Trump, with whom he has long maintained a strained relationship, in particular over nomination choices for the party's key Senate contests.

McConnell, who voted to acquit Trump in his second impeachment trial, nonetheless opined at the time that "[t]here is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day," per the outlet.

Trump, meanwhile, responded to the referrals with even greater brevity, mocking prominent committee member Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., for her imminent departure from Congress after decisively losing her primary to a challenger he endorsed.

"...But Liz Chaney lost by a record 40 points!" he wrote on Truth Social shortly after the referrals became public. Trump did not directly reference the committee or its actions, but solely derided Cheney.

The committee faces certain dissolution following the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in January.