After stepping down as the Senate leader, McConnell is free to choose his own battles and intends to use his power in a manner that may clash with President-elect Donald J. Trump. McConnell, the Senate’s longest-serving leader, is ready to assert his influence in different ways.
After stepping down from his position as Senate leader, McConnell is now free to choose his own battles and use his power in ways that may clash with President-elect Donald J. Trump. McConnell, who has served as Senate leader for the longest time, is ready to assert his influence in different ways in the upcoming Congress.
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky who has been the Senate leader for the longest period, 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
Reporting live from the Capitol
When President Donald J. Trump was last in the White House, Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky, who was the majority leader at the time, helped support him and pass his policies.
After serving as Senate leader for the longest time, Mr. McConnell will be stepping down from that role in January. It seems that he is now aiming to focus on different issues that may conflict with Mr. Trump’s views on policy and personnel as he 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 and relieved. 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, staying quiet about their appointments and stating that it was right for former Representative Matt Gaetz to withdraw from consideration as attorney general. Mr. McConnell has hinted that as he works to solidify his legacy in the Senate, he will focus on two issues that he strongly disagrees with Mr. Trump on.
Mitch McConnell, whose term ends in 2027 and has not indicated if he will run again, intends to prioritize pushing his interventionist foreign policy over the next two years. This contrasts with the incoming president’s "America First" stance. McConnell also aims to protect the Senate’s autonomy as President Trump has signaled his intention to exert control over the chamber with his majority in January.
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