Mitch McConnell criticizes censure of Cheney and Kinzinger, calls Jan. 6 'violent insurrection'

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) broke from the Republican National Committee by calling the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol a "violent insurrection" and criticizing the censure of Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).

"Well let me give you my view of what happened January the 6th," McConnell during his press conference Tuesday. "We saw it happen. It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next. That's what it was."

Other Senate Republicans have criticized the RNC for the censure of Cheney and Kinzinger. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) immediately criticized censure Friday. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) criticized the censure as well, Just the News reported.

McConnell told reporters: "With regard to the suggestion that the RNC should be in the business of picking and choosing Republicans who ought to be supported, traditionally the view of the national party committees is that we support all members of our party regardless of their positions on some issues."

"The issue is whether or not the RNC should be sort of singling out members of our party who may have different views from the majority," McConnell said. "That's not the job of the RNC."

McConnell has been feuding with former President Donald Trump, with it heating up in recent months especially after the Senate Majority Leader blamed Trump for the events on Jan. 6.