McConnell stands by past statement that ex-presidents are "not immune" from prosecution

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he stands by comments he made successful nan aftermath of nan Jan. 6, 2021, battle connected nan Capitol that erstwhile presidents, including Donald Trump, are "not immune" from criminal prosecution. 

"Face nan Nation" moderator and main overseas affairs analogous Margaret Brennan asked McConnell if he still believes erstwhile presidents are not wholly immune from prosecution, arsenic he said successful early 2021 a small complete a period aft rioters who supported erstwhile President Trump stormed nan Capitol. 

• Transcript: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell connected "Face nan Nation," April 28, 2024

The Supreme Court is now considering whether Trump is entitled to wide immunity from national prosecution, and its ruling successful nan matter will beryllium captious successful determining nan destiny of his 2020 predetermination trial. 

"Let's put it this way. I addressed that rumor connected February nan 13th" of 2021, McConnell said. "... And January nan 6th of 2021. I guidelines by everything I said then. Obviously, it'll beryllium up to nan Supreme Court to determine whether I was correct."

Three years ago, McConnell voted to acquit Trump successful nan impeachment proceedings complete nan Jan. 6 Capitol assault, reasoning successful portion that Trump "didn't get distant pinch thing yet" and could still beryllium held accountable by nan courts. 

"We person a criminal justness strategy successful this country. We person civilian litigation," McConnell said connected Feb. 13, 2021. "And erstwhile presidents are not immune from being accountable by either one."

Margaret Brennan interviews Mitch McConnell connected "Face nan Nation" connected April 25, 2025.  CBS News

At rumor successful nan lawsuit earlier nan Supreme Court, Trump v. United States, is whether nan erstwhile president tin look criminal charges for allegedly charismatic acts while he was successful nan White House. The dispute, which arose from nan national prosecution by typical counsel Jack Smith, is nan 2nd to travel earlier nan justices successful their existent word pinch important consequences for Trump's political future.

• In Trump immunity case, divided Supreme Court seems unfastened to immoderate protection

The highest tribunal could return months to render a decision. 

McConnell still endorsed Trump for president, telling Brennan that he has ever maintained he would support nan Republican nominee for president. 

McConnell has said he'll measurement down from his activity domiciled successful nan Senate successful November, though his word won't expire until 2027. That means, arsenic Brennan pointed out, Trump could beryllium successful nan White House while McConnell serves retired nan remainder of his term. 

• McConnell says assemblage presidents request to "get power of nan situation" amid protests

McConnell dismissed nan thought of truth checking aliases influencing Trump erstwhile nan presumptive GOP nominee parrots misinformation astir Russia and Ukraine. 

"I'm not going to springiness immoderate proposal to our campaigner successful nan — successful nan statesmanlike election," McConnell said. "What I'm focusing connected is turning nan Senate into a mostly Republican."

Last week, aft overmuch negotiating and hand-wringing, nan Senate passed a $95 cardinal overseas assistance measure for Ukraine, Taiwan and Israel. McConnell, who said to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aft nan bill's passage, said he apologizes for really agelong nan package took to pass. To Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's credit, McConnell said, Democrats stuck together — it was Republicans who needed to beryllium persuaded. 

According to nan latest CBS News polling, 79% of self-identified Republicans opportunity nan root of accusation they spot astir connected Ukraine and Russia is Trump, much truthful than nan Pentagon. Brennan asked McConnell really he would effort to antagonistic that messaging.

"I deliberation nan azygous astir important point I tin do is make judge my successor is nan mostly leader, nary matter really nan statesmanlike predetermination comes out," McConnell said. "I haven't been wholly satisfied pinch this administration. I deliberation nan truth that our nominee fundamentally decided not to proceed whipping group against nan package was a bully sign, and I'm going to beryllium advocating expanding nan defense budget, nary matter who gets elected, and preparing ourselves for nan agelong term, which is China, Russia and Iran."

Melissa Quinn and Robert Legare contributed to this report