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Mitch McConnell Takes a Stand: Liberated from Leadership, Ready to Challenge Trump

In Citizen
November 28, 2024

After serving as Senate leader for a long time, McConnell is stepping down from his position in the upcoming Congress. He is now planning to use his influence in ways that may lead to disagreements with President-elect Donald J. Trump.

After stepping down as 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. McConnell, who has served the longest in this role, is preparing to assert his power in new ways in the upcoming Congress.

Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky and the Senate leader for the longest period of time, will be resigning from his position in January. Photo credit goes to Kent Nishimura from The New York Times.

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Written by Catie Edmondson

Reporting live from the seat of

When President Donald J. Trump was in office, Senator Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican and former majority leader, played a key role in supporting him and advancing his goals.

After serving as Senate leader for a long time, Mr. McConnell will be stepping down from that position in January. It seems that this time he is planning to focus on different issues that may lead to disagreements with Mr. Trump regarding policies and personnel at the start of his second term.

Lately, Mr. McConnell, aged 82, has been expressing to his colleagues that stepping down from his leadership role has made him feel free and relieved. This was evident even during a late-night voting session on the Senate floor last week.

He has shown doubt about certain controversial choices for the president-elect’s team, choosing not to comment on their selection. He also agreed that former Representative Matt Gaetz withdrawing from consideration as attorney general was the right decision. Mr. McConnell has indicated that he will focus on two issues during his remaining time in the Senate, which happen to be areas where he and Mr. Trump do not see eye to eye.

Senator McConnell’s term will end in 2027, but it is uncertain if he will seek reelection. He aims to prioritize his interventionist foreign policy over the next two years, which contrasts with the incoming president’s "America First" strategy. He also plans to focus on maintaining the Senate’s autonomy, especially with President Trump’s intention to exert control over the chamber when he takes office in January.

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