Trump reportedly trying to topple McConnell as GOP leader
Former US President Donald Trump is reportedly trying to depose Senator Mitch McConnell, the top GOP figure in the upper chamber of US Congress, by supporting his Republican contender.
“Trump has spoken recently with senators and allies about trying to depose Mr. McConnell and whether any Republicans are interested in mounting a challenge,” read a report by the Wall Street Journal, citing “people familiar with the conversations.”
The GOP leader in the Senate has distanced himself from Trump since he incited his supporters to invade the Capitol in the wake of his loss in the 2020 presidential election, after which now-President Joe Biden emerged victor.
“There is little appetite among Senate Republicans for such a plan, lawmakers and aides said, but the discussions risk driving a wedge deeper between the most influential figure in the Republican Party and its highest-ranking member in elected office,” read the report.
McConnell has previously said that Trump is "morally responsible" for provoking the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol to overturn the election results.
"There's no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it. The people that stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president," said McConnell back in Feb.
In an interview with Fox News in April, the former president who effectively controls the GOP base, directly spoke against McConnell, suggesting that the party needs new leadership in Congress.
“I think we’re going to do very well. We need good leadership. Mitch McConnell has not done a great job. I think they should change Mitch McConnell,” Trump said.
Trump came back in Aug. to rap the Kentucky lawmaker’s reputations as an establishment Republican.
"Nobody will ever understand why Mitch McConnell allowed this non-infrastructure bill to be passed. He has given up all of his leverage for the big whopper of a bill that will follow," Trump said in a statement at the time. "I have quietly said for years that Mitch McConnell is the most overrated man in politics — now I don’t have to be quiet anymore."
A large number of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6 this year as the US Congress was meeting to certify Biden’s presidential election victory.
About 600 people have been arrested in connection with the attack.
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