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Mitch McConnell Just Wants to Be a ‘Regular’ Senator Standing Athwart Trump’s Isolationism

McConnell said this was the “most dangerous” time for the United States since World War II — and he indicated that he plans to do something about it.

Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks during a news conference about the election at the Capitol. Jose Luis Magana/AP

Sen. Mitch McConnell is stepping down from his role atop the Senate GOP in January. But a day after Donald Trump won back the White House, the Kentucky Republican told reporters he had big plans to spend the rest of his time in the Senate as a “regular” lawmaker focused on foreign policy.

The only problem? McConnell’s foreign policy views are almost entirely at odds with Trump, who often praises dictators, criticizes U.S. allies and wants to end American assistance to Ukraine.

“It’s a lot easier to prevent war than to have one,” McConnell told reporters Wednesday morning, saying he will concentrate on just that, aiming to boost defense spending and strengthen America’s relationships with its allies.