(RightWing.org) – Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has led the Senate GOP for almost two decades. To say that he’s a controversial figure would be an understatement. Politicians on both sides of the aisle, including former President Donald Trump, have heavily criticized him. Democrats believe he’s the second coming of Satan, while Republicans believe he has lost his ability to lead effectively.
Now it appears the Kentucky senator’s grip on power is coming to an end.
Senator Announces Retirement
On February 28, McConnell announced he planned to step down as the longest-serving Senate leader in history. He will leave the position in November, just as the country reelects President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump.
The Associated Press reported the longtime senator said, “One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter.”
McConnell turned 82 at the end of February, making him one of the oldest members of Congress. He said that he will serve out the rest of his Senate term, which ends in January 2027, but will do it “from a different seat in the chamber.”
During his announcement, the senator fought back tears. He spoke fondly about his nearly 40 years in the Senate, saying when he was elected in 1984, he “never could have imagined” he would become the longest-serving senator to represent Kentucky. He called it the “honor of [his] life” and said leading the GOP for the last 17 years “has been the highest privilege.”
The senator’s career is ripe with successes, most notably the transformation of the Supreme Court. The Conservative prevented former President Barack Obama from filling a vacant seat on the high court for almost a year, paving the way for former President Donald Trump to sit three ultra-right judges who went on to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Reactions to McConnell’s Announcement
Before McConnell’s announcement, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) said the Senate leader was “a symbol of everything that’s wrong with Washington.”
President Joe Biden praised the Republican, saying he was “proud” that he and McConnell “worked together in good faith even though [they had] many political disagreements.”
Average Americans took to X, formerly Twitter, to comment on the Senate leader’s announcement. There were many, many gifs and posts celebrating the decision.
Mitch McConnell leaving the Senate pic.twitter.com/LzDDaVxIeT
— Roger A Wilbanks💬 (@rogerawilbanks) February 29, 2024
Mitch McConnell is leaving the Senate? Good riddance. You have done enough damage to America in your time in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/HwM113qFF2
— Jason McPherson (@JMacZr1) February 28, 2024
Now, the fight to replace him as the leader of the upper chamber begins. Trump has refused to endorse anyone for the job just yet, saying there are “a lot of good choices” to replace his Republican adversary.
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