While he championed conservative causes, McConnell ultimately saw his influence challenged by the rise of Trump-era GOP populism.
The Republican Party that stood during Sen. Mitch McConnell's early years as leader is not the one in place now as he retires.
The Kentucky senator is stepping down after a consequential career. Whether Americans benefited from his triumphs, however, is another matter entirely.
Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell has announced that he won’t seek reelection next year, ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce GOP populism of President Donald Trump.