Trump went further, saying McConnell “wasn’t equipped ten years ago” and describing him as “a very bitter guy.” This was part of the ongoing strained relationship between the two, which had persisted throughout Trump’s presidency. McConnell’s shift from GOP leader to defiant Republican was surprising to some but not to Jim Manley, a former senior communications advisor for Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Manley explained that McConnell had been living on borrowed time and would have had trouble being re-elected if he hadn’t stepped down voluntarily. McConnell’s opposition to several of Trump’s Cabinet nominations, including Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., became a point of contention, with many in his party, including Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, voting similarly but not as strongly.

Despite McConnell’s actions, Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended him, acknowledging McConnell’s continued influence on national security matters. Some strategists believe McConnell’s opposition to Trump’s controversial picks reflects a broader sentiment within the party but that many senators remain silent due to fear of retribution. Political experts suggest McConnell’s actions may be his way of making a statement about a more traditional form of conservatism.