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 clash with President-elect Donald J. Trump.
After stepping down as the longest-serving Senate leader, McConnell is now free to choose his battles without the constraints of leadership. He intends to utilize his influence in ways that may lead to conflicts with President-elect Donald J. Trump.
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: Kent Nishimura for The New York Times.
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Written by Catie Edmondson
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When President Donald J. Trump was in office, Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who was the majority leader at the time, played a key role in supporting and advancing his agenda.
After holding the position of Senate leader for a long time, Mr. McConnell will be resigning from his post in January. This time, he seems to be preparing to focus on matters that may lead to disagreements with Mr. Trump regarding policy and personnel as Trump begins his second term.
Recently, Mr. McConnell, who is 82 years old, has been expressing to his colleagues that stepping down from his leadership position has made him feel free. This sentiment was shared during a late-night voting session on the Senate floor last week.
He has shown doubt about some of the president-elect’s controversial choices for his team, remaining silent on their appointments and stating last week that it was right for former Representative Matt Gaetz to withdraw from consideration as attorney general. Mr. McConnell has indicated that he will focus on two issues that he strongly disagrees with Mr. Trump on as he works to solidify his legacy in the Senate before leaving.
Mitch McConnell, who will be in office until 2027 and has not confirmed whether he will run again, has stated that he will prioritize promoting his interventionist foreign policy agenda over the next two years. This approach contrasts with the incoming president’s "America First" stance. McConnell also aims to protect the Senate’s autonomy as President Trump, who will have control of the executive and legislative branches in January, has expressed his intentions to exert influence over the Senate.
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