Why it matters: His comments contrast with an increasingly vociferous field of far-right politicians who are continuing their efforts to undermine the election process two years after former President Trump’s defeat. But they also come on the heels of the FBI’s investigation of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property, which led to an increase in threats to law enforcement. What he says: Asked about a recent NBC News poll showing Americans rank threats to democracy as the most important issue in the country, McConnell said, “I think it’s an important issue.”
“There were those trying to prevent a smooth transition of power for the first time in American history” after the 2020 presidential election, and “that was not good,” he said, adding that “I guess it had some impact on the vote.” He also said there was “very little electoral fraud”, although it “happens occasionally”. But he brushed off concern that American democracy faces imminent danger, pointing to “failed” efforts to stop the transfer of power between the Trump and Biden administrations. “I think we have a very stable democracy,” he said. “I don’t think about the things we have to worry about, I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Worth noting: The NBC poll also found that a majority of Americans believe investigations into Trump’s alleged wrongdoing should continue. The big picture: Dozens of states have moved to restrict voting rights from the 2020 election amid unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud.
