McConnell throws support behind Trump despite past feuds

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday formally endorsed former President Donald Trump as the Republican party’s presidential nominee. McConnell said in his statement that it was clear Trump would be the Republican party's nominee, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Republican party’s nominee would have his support.

What were their past feuds? McConnell, shortly after the Capitol riots of Jan. 6, 2021, said, “Former President Trump’s actions preceding the riot were a disgraceful dereliction of duty.” He said again on the first anniversary of the Capitol riots that the events of that day painted a “disgraceful scene.”

Isn’t he retiring soon? McConnell said on the Senate floor last week that he would be retiring from Senate leadership in November, though he still plans to serve out his term that ends in 2027. His promise to retire comes as younger Republican senators have criticized his leadership and after a few episodes wherein he quit talking during press conferences, apparently involuntarily. He is the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report in The Sift on McConnell’s retirement.