Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has expressed his stance on former President Donald Trump’s assertions of immunity from prosecution for official acts during his time in office. McConnell reaffirmed his position during an interview with “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, stating that he continues to support his acquittal vote and stands by the statements he made in 2021 when he voted against convicting Trump in a Senate trial. These remarks were made in response to Trump’s impeachment by the House on charges related to the January 6 Capitol attack, as reported by NBC News.

“President Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office … He didn’t get away with anything, yet,” McConnell said in 2021, adding, “We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being [held] accountable by either one.”

“That’s [still] my view,” McConnell said Thursday. “But my view is only my view. I mean, the court is going to decide.”

The Supreme Court proceedings on Thursday are centered on federal charges against Trump, alleging his unlawful interference in the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. Trump argues that he possesses complete immunity from prosecution for any actions carried out during his presidency. The court’s discussions will ultimately decide the scope of presidential immunity.

“The president clearly needs some kind of immunity, or he’d be in court all the time,” McConnell noted. “I’m not on the Supreme Court. I don’t get to make the final decision on that,” McConnell said.

In late March, a number of GOP senators expressed their plans for a future without McConnell, as they had become increasingly frustrated with his leadership style and are optimistic that the next Senate leader will be an improvement. According to The Daily Caller, these senators believe that McConnell’s insular approach to leadership is no longer suitable in today’s political climate, and that it is important for Republicans in the chamber to collaborate and work together.

McConnell had announced in late February that he would step down as Senate Republican leader in November. He stated his intention to serve out his term, which concludes in January 2027, but from a different position within the chamber.

Following McConnell’s announcement, two Republican senators, John Cornyn from Texas and John Thune from South Dakota, have declared their candidacy for the next Senate GOP Leader position. Additionally, Rick Scott, a Republican senator from Florida who previously challenged McConnell for the leadership role in 2020, is reportedly considering running for the position as well, as reported by the Daily Caller. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson informed the Caller that the anti-establishment faction of the party has not yet settled on a candidate, but discussions are ongoing.

“No, we’ve had discussions, but I’ll leave it at that. We were having discussions before Leader McConnell announced his intention there. I mean, I think I was surprised. I wasn’t expecting that. But, again, I appreciate the fact that he did give us that heads-up. So we have this time,” he said.

“From my standpoint, I’ll sing the praises of Rick Scott. He’s shown leadership. It was his tenacity that continued to schedule meetings with House members, week after week after week, really got us by the debt ceiling impasse. I’m not sure he gets enough credit for that,” Johnson continued.

According to an individual knowledgeable about the matter, The Caller was informed that McConnell has effectively utilized his leadership role both within and beyond the chamber, highlighting the Senate Leadership Fund and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

“We want to de-weaponize the platform, the leadership platform. The leadership platform has been weaponized on the inside and outside. The outside political side of it has been weaponized. But the Senate Leadership Fund and to a degree, the NRSC, over which leader McConnell has wielded a significant amount of influence, some would say quite improperly,” the source said.