After stepping down as the Senate leader, McConnell is now free to choose his battles and use his power in ways that may clash with President-elect Donald J. Trump.
After stepping down as Senate leader, McConnell is now free to choose his own battles and use his power in ways that may clash with President-elect Trump. McConnell, who has served the longest in the Senate, is ready to assert his influence in new ways.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky and the Senate’s longest-serving leader, will be resigning from his position in January. Photo by Kent Nishimura for The New York Times.
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Written by Catie Edmondson
Writing from the legislative building
When President Donald J. Trump was last in the White House, Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who was the majority leader at the time, played a significant role in supporting him and advancing his policies.
After serving as Senate leader for a long time, Mr. McConnell is resigning from his position in January. It seems like he is now planning to shift his focus towards issues that may create disagreements with Mr. Trump regarding policies and personnel in the early stages of 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 and relieved. This was evident during a late-night voting session on the Senate floor.
He has shown doubt about some of the president-elect’s controversial choices for his administration, choosing not to comment on their selections. He also mentioned that it was the right decision for former Representative Matt Gaetz to withdraw from consideration as attorney general. Mr. McConnell has indicated that he will focus on two key issues during his remaining time in the Senate, which happen to be topics where he and Mr. Trump have differing opinions.
Mitch McConnell’s current term as a senator ends in 2027, and it is uncertain if he will run for reelection. He has expressed his intention to prioritize advancing his proactive foreign policy stance over the next two years, which contradicts the incoming president’s "America First" strategy. McConnell also aims to protect the Senate’s autonomy amidst concerns that the president-elect may attempt to exert control over the chamber with his majority in January.
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