Whenever you see a horror of anti-democratic rule, remember Mitch McConnell. You have him to thankYou would think that this is exactly what Mitch McConnell wanted. McConnell, the 83-year-old Kentucky senator – who announced last week that he will retire in 2026 and not seek an eighth term – is one of the most influential Republicans in the history of the party. But he has in recent weeks expressed dissent and discontent with the direction of the Republican party. He voted against some of Donald Trump’s cabinet appointees, refusing, for example, to cast a vote for the confirmation of the anti-diversity campaigner and alleged rapist and drunk Pete Hegseth.He has also voiced some tepid and belated opposition to Republicans’ extremist agenda, citing his own experience as a survivor of childhood polio as a reason for his opposition to Republican attacks on vaccines. But the Republican party that McConnell is now shaking his head at is the one that he created. He has no one but himself to...
Mitch McConnell is retiring from U.S. politics after a long career marked by significant influence over the Republican Party and American politics. Known for his role in weakening democratic norms, McConnell enabled Donald Trump's rise and persisted in anti-democratic practices. His legacy includes the erosion of representative democracy, the rise of oligarchy, and the insulation of governance from electoral checks. His decision to acquit Trump during his second impeachment trial is seen as a pivotal moment in his career, allowing Trump's return to power. McConnell's impact on U.S. politics will continue to shape the nation.
