After stepping down as the longest-serving Senate leader, McConnell is now free to choose his own battles and use his influence in ways that may not align with President-elect Donald J. Trump.
After stepping down from his leadership position in the Senate, McConnell is now free to choose his own battles and plans to utilize his power in ways that may clash with President-elect Trump. McConnell, who has held the position for a long time, is ready to take on new challenges and assert his influence in different ways.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who has been the Senate leader for the longest period of time, will be resigning from his position in January. Photo credit goes to Kent Nishimura for The New York Times.
Backed by
Written by Catie Edmondson
Updating from the government building.
During President Donald Trump’s previous term in the White House, Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who served as the majority leader at the time, played a significant role in supporting and advancing his policies.
However, Mr. McConnell, who has served as Senate leader for the longest period of time, will be resigning from that position in January. This time, he seems to be preparing to take a different approach by concentrating on matters that may lead to disagreements with Mr. Trump regarding policies and personnel as he begins his second term.
Recently, Mr. McConnell, aged 82, has expressed to his colleagues, including during a late-night Senate session last week, that stepping down from his leadership position has made him feel free.
He has shown doubt about some of the president-elect’s controversial choices for his team, keeping quiet on their appointments and stating last week that the decision for former Representative Matt Gaetz to withdraw from consideration for attorney general was the right move. Mr. McConnell has indicated that as he works to solidify his legacy in his final term in the Senate, he intends to focus on two issues that happen to be areas where he and Mr. Trump strongly disagree.
Mitch McConnell, whose term as a senator ends in 2027, has not confirmed if he will run again. He has stated his intention to prioritize his interventionist foreign policy in the next two years, which differs from the incoming president’s "America First" strategy. McConnell also aims to protect the Senate’s autonomy as President Trump, who will have control over the executive and legislative branches, has indicated his desire to influence the Senate.
We are currently experiencing difficulties in accessing the content of the article.
Kindly activate JavaScript in the settings of your web browser.
We appreciate your understanding as we confirm your access. If you are currently in Reader mode, please log out and sign into your Times account, or consider subscribing to access all of The Times content.
We appreciate your patience as we confirm your access.
Have you already signed up as a member? Please sign in
Interested in receiving all of The Times content? Subscribe now.
Prom
Index of the website
Navigation for site information.