Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., on the president’s photo op at St. John’s last night: “Didn’t really see it.”
Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., does not respond when asked if what the president did last night was appropriate. Her spokesman handed me his card.
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. “I don’t have any comment on that.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., does stop to talk and says “we all could” do better when asked if POTUS could do better.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. “I didn’t watch it closely enough to know.”
Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.: “Sorry, I’m late for lunch.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., walks by without saying anything.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska: What we saw last night “was not the America that I know.”
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska: Walks by with no response.
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio: “I’m late for lunch.”
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., doesn’t stop at cameras here on the Hill. Told reporters he’s already “said too much,” per @LACaldwellDC
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont.: “I was grateful for the president’s leadership.” Says George Floyd was murdered but looting is not acceptable.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, when asked if what we saw at the White House last night was an abuse of power: “By the protestors, yes.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.: “I didn’t follow, I’m sorry.”
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., stops to talk to cameras, says he has seen “conflicting reports” of what happened at the White House. Says looting and violence is detracting from what should be the focus on George Floyd.
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., walks by with no comment.
Sen. Mitch McConnell speaking now. Opens news conference by addressing George Floyd protests.
“Egregious wrongs have been done. Much of it recorded.”
Questions TK after other GOP leaders speak.
“Egregious wrongs have been done. Much of it recorded.”
Questions TK after other GOP leaders speak.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, at news conference (not in response to questions): “My heart hurts.” Says we need to hear peaceful protestors but “we can’t hear those peaceful protestors over the sound of shattering glass and splintering wood.”
I asked Sen. McConnell if President Trump’s leadership was right for this moment. “I’m not going to critique other people’s performances,” he said.
Senate GOP lunch and press conference concluded.
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Failed to include Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah (full exchange)
Q: Do you have any concerns of what we saw unfold at the White House last night with the protestors?
LEE: Yes.
Q: Yes? What are your concerns?
LEE: Violence is scary.
Q: Do you have any concerns of what we saw unfold at the White House last night with the protestors?
LEE: Yes.
Q: Yes? What are your concerns?
LEE: Violence is scary.
