Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said Tuesday afternoon that he and the White House have “looked at all the options” available for keeping Roy Moore out of the Senate in the wake of allegations from several women that Moore pursued them sexually or romantically when they were teenagers.
“There’s no question that there’s a deep concern here,” McConnell said at a brief press conference on Capitol Hill. “He’s obviously not fit to be in the United States Senate.”
McConnell has already unequivocally called for Moore to drop out of the race.
He told reporters Tuesday that he has spoken with President Donald Trump, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and Vice President Mike Pence about Moore over the past few days. McConnell said that once Trump returns from his Asia trip on Wednesday, he will speak with the White House more about the possibilities.
McConnell’s comments on his discussions with the White House came when asked if he would support an effort in the Senate to expel Moore if he wins the December election. McConnell would not answer directly and instead told reporters that Republicans are looking at all options. He added later that backing a write-in candidate is among the options being discussed.
The Senate leader was also asked whether he believes the women who accused Trump of sexual harassment given that he has said the women voicing allegations against Moore are credible.
McConnell dodged, saying, “We’re talking about the situation in Alabama.”
